Once again, new passports are the subject of the news. This time, it involves an entire lacrosse team. Here's the story: The top-ranked Iroquois lacrosse team were traveling to England in order to participate in the World Championships. However, when they were leaving, they were denied because of their Iroquois passports.
With members from both Canada and the United States, this team is comprised of Iroquois Native Americans who are part of the Iroquois Nation, which has been issuing their own passports to its members that show their unique Iroquois heritage. However, without an American or Canadian passport, they aren't being granted entrance into the United Kingdom, which is questioning the validity and legitimacy of such passports. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton issued a one-time exception waiver for the team, so they could regain entrance into the United States after their tournament overseas. The UK did not accept this waiver.
There are a few different views on this matter. More and more, countries are taking the position that they will only accept official passports issued from the United States or Canada because since these native Americans are citizens, they should use the documents used by other citizens. There is also a security problem with the Iroquois passport as they do not have the anti-fraud features that are present on the other passports. This could put other travelers at risk if these passports fall into the hands of the wrong person.
There are others who feel that tradition has been for the Iroquois to issue their own passports for reasons of pride and these have always been sufficient in the past and their validity should be continued. However, we all know that times are changing and never before has the threat of terrorism been so great. While the Iroquois Nation feels they are being singled out and should not be considered a risk, the lack of anti-fraud technology on the passports make them a potential problem.
The game of lacrosse was created by the Iroquois Indians long ago so they take a lot of pride in the sport. With the cancellation of their own passports, they were forced to get a passport quick and this was very demeaning to them. A view held by coach echoes the sentiments that this type of treatment goes against the free expression of the native American Indian heritage and can cost the team the opportunity to play in the championship game of the sport that was their idea in the first place.
With members from both Canada and the United States, this team is comprised of Iroquois Native Americans who are part of the Iroquois Nation, which has been issuing their own passports to its members that show their unique Iroquois heritage. However, without an American or Canadian passport, they aren't being granted entrance into the United Kingdom, which is questioning the validity and legitimacy of such passports. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton issued a one-time exception waiver for the team, so they could regain entrance into the United States after their tournament overseas. The UK did not accept this waiver.
There are a few different views on this matter. More and more, countries are taking the position that they will only accept official passports issued from the United States or Canada because since these native Americans are citizens, they should use the documents used by other citizens. There is also a security problem with the Iroquois passport as they do not have the anti-fraud features that are present on the other passports. This could put other travelers at risk if these passports fall into the hands of the wrong person.
There are others who feel that tradition has been for the Iroquois to issue their own passports for reasons of pride and these have always been sufficient in the past and their validity should be continued. However, we all know that times are changing and never before has the threat of terrorism been so great. While the Iroquois Nation feels they are being singled out and should not be considered a risk, the lack of anti-fraud technology on the passports make them a potential problem.
The game of lacrosse was created by the Iroquois Indians long ago so they take a lot of pride in the sport. With the cancellation of their own passports, they were forced to get a passport quick and this was very demeaning to them. A view held by coach echoes the sentiments that this type of treatment goes against the free expression of the native American Indian heritage and can cost the team the opportunity to play in the championship game of the sport that was their idea in the first place.
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Certainly, US passports are very important documents. It is offensive to these native Americans to realize that every year, convicted sex offenders and murders who have served their time are permitted to get passports but the Iroquois passports so rich with heritage and culture are considered void causing them to have to get a passport quick.
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