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| Amish couple challenges U.S. photo rule |
| 2006-10-28 |
| An Amish couple filed a lawsuit — something that runs counter to their principles of nonresistance — to safeguard another cherished belief, that having their photo taken is against the Bible. The couple are suing the federal government because immigration officials require photos. In the case of the Amish couple, the photos are required so the husband — a Canadian citizen — can become a permanent resident and eventually apply for U.S. citizenship. The Old Order Amish shun modern conveniences like automobiles and electricity and believe having one's picture taken violates the Biblical injunction against making "graven images." The couple's attorney, Michael Sampson, who is taking the case without charge, said they could be excommunicated if the Amish community learned of the lawsuit, so he asked a federal judge to let them proceed anonymously. The judge has not ruled on the request. The U.S. government sometimes allowed immigrants to waive the photo requirements for religious reasons. Because of more recent anti-terrorism efforts, there are no longer any exceptions based on religion. But Sampson said immigration authorities still allow some elderly or infirm people to avoid being photographed, and believes an exemption should be made in this case, too. The husband, 31, and wife, 24, were married in June 2001 in Pennsylvania while the man was in the country as a visitor. They have since had two children. They have provided fingerprints, birth certificates and other documents needed for immigration, but still must submit two photographs. For now, the husband is entitled to stay here while the government attempts to resolve the matter, Sampson said. But they live in fear of a deportation order. "The reality is, we've exhausted every possible step we can take to protect them," Sampson said. "If my clients don't file this lawsuit, they're at risk of having this young family torn apart, separated by the Canadian-U.S. border." U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan, who will represent the government, declined to comment on the case Friday. In another case filed two years ago, Buchanan defended the photo requirement by saying Homeland Security officials cannot do a thorough background check on an immigrant without a photo. "They can't go out and show people a fingerprint and say, `Do you recognize this fingerprint? What can you tell me about this person?'" Buchanan said. |
| Posted by:.com |
| #19 UG6250, that's your interpretation of graven. Theirs, I will happily defer to our more knwoledgable Amish posters, if I am in error, extends to photographs because the injunction against images is to prevent them becoming items of veneration, idols, to be worshipped, instead of God. I think they have a point, even if an extreme one. |
| Posted by: Nimble Spemble 2006-10-28 20:50 |
| #18 "they could be excommunicated if the Amish community learned of the lawsuit" Seems a photo is a problem but they'll bend principle on a lawsuit. Wouldn't it be easier if a lawsuit is a problem but they'll bend principle on a photo? |
| Posted by: Darrell 2006-10-28 20:35 |
| #17 like a Brownie Hawkeye? |
| Posted by: Frank G 2006-10-28 20:09 |
| #16 Last I heard, "graven" means carved, as in a statue. Photos don't usually come under that heading, unless of course yoy're talking Neolithic Kodak film cameras. |
| Posted by: Unavilet Graising6250 2006-10-28 19:36 |
| #15 ...taking advantage of the uniformed consumer ... Where can I get one of them consumer uniforms? |
| Posted by: NoBeards 2006-10-28 15:55 |
| #14 I remember when I was in PA, I would go to WalMart and see the buggies tied up to the lightposts in the parking lot. They were inside buying all kinds of junk food, etc. Heh, I should have checked to see if they were stocking up on that 99 cent jam to spoon into their pretty little containers. |
| Posted by: Clkethel OHlkdj 2006-10-28 15:17 |
| #13 Slaviger - Lehmans (no fooling') But I misspoke, it's in Mt. Hope on SR 241. |
| Posted by: GORT 2006-10-28 13:53 |
| #12 What's the name of that place in New Hope? I might like to visit it. |
| Posted by: Slaviger Angomong7708 2006-10-28 13:39 |
| #11 Heh, Deacon... There's an interesting element snobbery in commerce. I can't help but recall the 1000 times someone tried to sell me a "genuine" Rolex on the streets of Bangkok, lol. Would it break your heart to find out the saddle was made in Western Taiwan? It would still be "the best quality saddle I've ever owned"... I'm just askin'... ;-) |
| Posted by: .com 2006-10-28 13:12 |
| #10 I've got a saddle made by an Amish community in Ohio. It's the best quality saddle I've ever owned. |
| Posted by: Deacon Blues 2006-10-28 12:58 |
| #9 lol SteveS |
| Posted by: Frank G 2006-10-28 11:26 |
| #8 I think the whole point here is not with the Amish, It's with the fakers claiming to be Amish so they can move around anonymously. |
| Posted by: Redneck Jim 2006-10-28 11:01 |
| #7 ...but taking advantage of the uniformed consumer or those enamored by the "amish" advertising slapped on a product. Hmmmm, I'm starting to suspect my Amish brand cordless electric drill is not the real deal. |
| Posted by: SteveS 2006-10-28 10:45 |
| #6 follow the rules or go home. |
| Posted by: anon 2006-10-28 10:39 |
| #5 You guys don't know the half of it. When it comes to $$ the Amish will screw the hell out of the English (us guys) and do anything to bring in the bucks. Not stealing mind you, but taking advantage of the uniformed consumer or those enamored by the "amish" advertising slapped on a product. "Amish" cheese; "Amish made furniture" (made in the most high-tech workshops you ever saw), etc. In my area, they even had a word for it - "Yutzy" - a verb as in; "I yutzied him good" - meaning; I screwed him with a d!ck so big, an elephant would have felt it. Even "Amish" stores are built and marketed strictly for the English. Lehmans in Kidron OH is all prettied up (Oh, how quiant!!) complete with prices that are stratopheric. The parking lot is full of busses of tourists who are inside being shook down. They have to walk past the horse and buggy that good ole' Jonas brings every morning and ties to the rail. Jonas picks up the buggy after the store is closed. Don't kid yourself, the Amish don't shop there, they go three miles down the road to New Hope where the prices are what they should be but no English would ever find it. Check out their website - ironic, no? Back on topic - the photograph is not a big problem if they don't want it to be. The Bishop can give permission to have your photograph taken and all is well. It's done every day - how do you think the Amish that go on missions overseas get a valid passport? |
| Posted by: GORT 2006-10-28 10:29 |
| #4 She can move to live with him in Canada. I grew up near the old Amish. While there are admirable things about their community, they are not necessarily paragons of virtue. Some of the biggest puppy mills in the country are run by the Amish. I've had to rescue the "products" of their commerce, who came with faked pedigrees and buyers who were unable to fathom that their "purebred" xxx .... wasn't a purebred xxx at all. And that it peed submissively or chewed its fur neurotically or ... etc etc Not in the category of blowing up buses, but I keep it in mind when the topic of the Amish comes up. |
| Posted by: lotp 2006-10-28 05:36 |
| #3 Sorry, terrorists are going to start thinking the same thing. If the Amish don't like it, they can go to Afghanistan. Disclaimer: To the Amish members of the RB community, I apologize if you have been offended. :-) |
| Posted by: gorb 2006-10-28 04:15 |
| #2 Well, I would have maybe trusted the Amish guy, but the fact that he is Canadian...can't trust the Dems or Canadians on security issues. |
| Posted by: Shaviting Phinens9082 2006-10-28 03:22 |
| #1 I thought the Old Order Amish were against things like lawsuits, also. If they can violate their principles over such a matter, they can certainly stoop to having their picture taken. |
| Posted by: Anguper Hupomosing9418 2006-10-28 02:30 |