Amish Man Challenges DHS Photo ID Requirement

AvesPKS

Diamond Member
Apr 21, 2000
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The New York Times (4/22, Dao) reports, "For nearly two years, Daniel Zehr, an Amish man from Canada who wants to become an American citizen, has resisted what to others might seem a simple requirement: that he submit his photograph to immigration officials. Doing that, Mr. Zehr argues in a lawsuit, would violate his religious belief that the Bible prohibits posing for photographs. On Wednesday, a federal judge in Pittsburgh, Alan Bloch, dealt a serious setback to Mr. Zehr's case, ruling that he could be deported at any time, including before his lawsuit is resolved. Mr. Zehr has been living in an Old Order Amish enclave in northwestern Pennsylvania with his wife, an American citizen, and their daughter." According to the Times, "The case presents a potentially compelling challenge to tough immigration policies instituted after the terrorist attacks of 2001. Under those policies, federal authorities are increasingly refusing to grant exemptions to requirements that photographs be submitted with immigration applications. The Old Order Amish believe that posing for photographs is a form of arrogance bordering on idolatry that violates Biblical prohibitions against graven images. But Mr. Zehr's lawyers said that he is willing to submit to other forms of identification, like fingerprinting or retinal scans. ... Last fall, the Department of Homeland Security began deportation proceedings against Mr. Zehr. Despite those proceedings, he returned to Canada last December to visit his father, who had suffered a heart attack. Mr. Zehr was told by immigration officials that he could not return to the United States because he did not have photo identification. But on April 1, he was granted temporary 'parole' into the country. That status has expired."
New York Times
 

GoPackGo

Diamond Member
Oct 10, 2003
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I don't remember "Thou shalt not have your picture taken" in the Ten Commandments...or anywhere else in the Bible.
 

dahunan

Lifer
Jan 10, 2002
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PUt that fvcker in Gitmo if he has a problem with the way we run this country..
 

halik

Lifer
Oct 10, 2000
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there was a convert muslim woman that tried to pull off having veil on her drviers license. She got shot down.

If this guys doesnt wanna submit the pic, he can go back to Canadia