8 Palestinians Freed of Charges
A federal immigration judge today dismissed all charges against eight immigrants accused of membership in a Palestinian terrorist group, saying immigration officials failed to prove that the charges against them were signed by a person with proper authority.
The surprise decision by U.S. Immigration Judge Ingrid Hrycenko stunned the packed Los Angeles courtroom during preliminary deportation proceedings for the eight. Hrycenko had ordered an appearance by Gilbert Reeves, acting district director of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, who signed the charges against them in January. When INS attorneys failed to produce him today as promised, the judge, shaking with anger, dismissed all charges.
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