http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/05/09/do_the_right_thing/ Raad is a native of Basra, Iraq's third biggest city. He immigrated to the United States in 1997, and went to work for the Defense Department in 2004. He has served four tours in Iraq, working as a translator for American combat forces, most recently Navy SEALs. The word "dangerous" does not begin to describe his job.
Raad loves his adopted country dearly, which is why he is having a hard time understanding why the government appears intent on deporting his wife, Norma.
...
His wife - let's not mince words - snuck into the country from her native Guatemala. She applied for asylum while she was living in Nevada. She later moved to Virginia, and finally, Massachusetts.
When the couple attempted to check on the status of her asylum application last year, they discovered that a judge in Nevada had issued an order of removal in 2005. The couple is now hoping that the government will exercise its discretion and overturn the ruling, allowing her to seek a green card.
They have won one influential ally: US Senator John F. Kerry.
"This is a real test of how we treat people who answer the call of duty," Kerry said over the phone last week. "We have a shortage of translators. We talk about winning the hearts and minds of people, and the last thing we should be doing is making life harder for the people who are making that effort."
The Globe approves of his involvement in this. That's pretty damned stupid to deport an Iraqi translator willing to risk his life for America, because his wife's papers weren't in order. Good for Kerry to get involved.