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Court hears war resister’s case again – Metro US

Court hears war resister’s case again

A Canadian immigration official failed to consider the hardships a high-profile American deserter and his family would face if forced to return to the United States, a Federal Court judge heard yesterday.

In arguing Jeremy Hinzman’s case, lawyer Alyssa Manning told the court that deserters who have spoken out against the U.S. invasion of Iraq have been singled out for prosecution while others have been allowed to quietly leave the military.

As a result, she told Judge James Russell, Hinzman would likely be the victim of “differential treatment” if returned to the States, something the immigration officer did not consider properly.

Hinzman, 30, who staved off deportation in September after his refu­gee claim was turned down, is hoping the court will order Ottawa to take another look at his application to be allowed to remain in Canada on humanitarian and compassionate grounds.