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Iraqi Man Who Aided in Rescue of Private Lynch Granted Asylum

Aired April 29, 2003 - 15:37   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: An Iraqi man who risked his own life and safety to help Private Jessica Lynch has been granted asylum. Mohammed al Rehaief is the lawyer who told U.S. forces where the former prisoner of war was being held so that she could be rescued. CNN's Justice correspondent Kelli Arena joins me now with more on all of this -- Kelli.
KELLI ARENA, CNN JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Miles, he was known to the world for a while as simply Mohammed and now we know, as you said, his full name, Mohammed Odeh al Rehaief. He not only alerted U.S. forces about Jessica Lynch's whereabouts, but then he gave Marines a very detailed description of the hospital where she was being held.

And for that, he and his wife and his 5-year-old daughter have been granted asylum. The family was brought to the United States on April 10. He had asked to leave Iraq he says for safety reasons. Officials say that given that the situation is still very unstable there, they complied.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TOM RIDGE, HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY: Mr. al Rehaief, his wife and 5-year-old daughter were brought to America earlier this month after the Department of Homeland Security granted them humanitarian parole into the country. Mr. al Rehaief should know that Americans are grateful for his bravery and for his compassion.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ARENA: The family was processed just yesterday. They now have the right to stay in the country indefinitely. He's got a working permit. And they can even petition to bring other family members over, if they choose to -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: Kelli, what do we know about other possible similar cases? This was obviously one we heard a lot about. But presumably there are many other Iraqis who might have risked their lives to assist in any way the U.S. invasion -- well, invasion is a debatable term. Excuse me. Liberation. And those people might very well apply for asylum. Will they be granted the same treatment?

ARENA: You know, we asked that question. So far this is being dealt with as an isolated case. We're told not to think this that is going to set any precedent for future cases. This is someone who, as we know, risked his life to get information to U.S. Special Forces. His life was thought to be very much in danger by anti-American groups in Iraq, and so he and his immediate family were brought over.

But the Justice Department, Homeland Security have not come out and made any blanket statement about what their policy will be toward other Iraqi nationals seeking to enter the United States as residents. So very separate cases being handled very individually right now -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: I suppose it does send a message though to other potential people out there who might want to help the U.S. as it continues hunting down members of the Saddam Hussein regime.

ARENA: This is true. And one U.S. official said that hopefully the message is, if you are helpful, if you assist, then, you know, there are benefits to that assistance in the long run.

O'BRIEN: Kelli Arena in Washington, thanks very much.

ARENA: You're welcome, Miles.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com




Asylum>


Aired April 29, 2003 - 15:37   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: An Iraqi man who risked his own life and safety to help Private Jessica Lynch has been granted asylum. Mohammed al Rehaief is the lawyer who told U.S. forces where the former prisoner of war was being held so that she could be rescued. CNN's Justice correspondent Kelli Arena joins me now with more on all of this -- Kelli.
KELLI ARENA, CNN JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Miles, he was known to the world for a while as simply Mohammed and now we know, as you said, his full name, Mohammed Odeh al Rehaief. He not only alerted U.S. forces about Jessica Lynch's whereabouts, but then he gave Marines a very detailed description of the hospital where she was being held.

And for that, he and his wife and his 5-year-old daughter have been granted asylum. The family was brought to the United States on April 10. He had asked to leave Iraq he says for safety reasons. Officials say that given that the situation is still very unstable there, they complied.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TOM RIDGE, HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY: Mr. al Rehaief, his wife and 5-year-old daughter were brought to America earlier this month after the Department of Homeland Security granted them humanitarian parole into the country. Mr. al Rehaief should know that Americans are grateful for his bravery and for his compassion.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ARENA: The family was processed just yesterday. They now have the right to stay in the country indefinitely. He's got a working permit. And they can even petition to bring other family members over, if they choose to -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: Kelli, what do we know about other possible similar cases? This was obviously one we heard a lot about. But presumably there are many other Iraqis who might have risked their lives to assist in any way the U.S. invasion -- well, invasion is a debatable term. Excuse me. Liberation. And those people might very well apply for asylum. Will they be granted the same treatment?

ARENA: You know, we asked that question. So far this is being dealt with as an isolated case. We're told not to think this that is going to set any precedent for future cases. This is someone who, as we know, risked his life to get information to U.S. Special Forces. His life was thought to be very much in danger by anti-American groups in Iraq, and so he and his immediate family were brought over.

But the Justice Department, Homeland Security have not come out and made any blanket statement about what their policy will be toward other Iraqi nationals seeking to enter the United States as residents. So very separate cases being handled very individually right now -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: I suppose it does send a message though to other potential people out there who might want to help the U.S. as it continues hunting down members of the Saddam Hussein regime.

ARENA: This is true. And one U.S. official said that hopefully the message is, if you are helpful, if you assist, then, you know, there are benefits to that assistance in the long run.

O'BRIEN: Kelli Arena in Washington, thanks very much.

ARENA: You're welcome, Miles.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com




Asylum>