Sandanista Dora Maria Tellez Denied Visa

NPR ran a story this morning that made my stomach turn over.  Dora Maria Tellez, a Nicaraguan Sandinista rebel and a Nicaraguan historical Icon is being denied a visa to enter the US because of her former participation in terrorist activities.  Under the overly broad definitions found in 'The Patriot Act' Tellez is not eligible for entry into the state, much to the chagrin of the Harvard University faculty who awarded her the John F. Kennedy fellowship to come and teach at one of the nations most prestigious institutions.

I think this is a travesty.  I have challenges in pulling between the definitions of a Freedom Fighter, and a Terrorist but I am fairly certain that the definition needs less attention than our policies do.  If we continue to move in a selective isolationist path we will eventually close off our boarders, hearts, and minds to all of the unique and stimulating people and experiences that lay just outside our boarders.

 

Comments

[robert fischer]

given the hardships caused by Sandinista rule, Somoza is the subject of historical revisionism.

[Rany]

I understand the oppresive nature of the regime. Here is a link to the Somoza regime that you mentioned.
http://www.moreorless.au.com/killers/somoza.html