Dear Editor:
I write to commend Representative Sheila Jackson Lee for her article entitled "Why is the Department of Homeland Security Determined to deport Malik Jarno?". Through profiling DHS' pursuit of a mentally retarded orphan, Congresswoman Jackson Lee has made the case for why Congress should exercise its authority to provide close oversight over DHS' policies, procedures and operations. In the absence of effective oversight, DHS' unfettered power can easily be abused towards individuals such as Malik. In Malik's case, it appears from the Congresswoman's article that DHS have crossed a line and have forced Malik into a Kafkaesque situation. They badgered Malik's witnesses from testifying while not producing their own witnesses necessary to explain the naked contradictions in their evidence. For example, how can DHS at one point dismiss Malik's identity based on their overseas investigation to Guinea into his birth certificate but at another point assert Malik's identity based on the same birth certificate to Guinean officials? In our democracy, as an executive branch agency, DHS must remain accountable to Congress and the people for their actions. I thank Congresswoman Jackson Lee for reminding us of this lesson. Let us hope that Malik and other unaccompanied children who seek asylum are dealt with in more humane manner in the future.
T. Block
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