"These journalists had fled repression and turmoil in their native countries only to find death in America for openly expressing their political views," it said.

Many of those who apply for asylum are abusing the system, officials say, using it as a way to better their lives rather than to flee repression.

Mexico has long prided itself on a generous policy of providing asylum to peoples fleeing politically motivated repression.

Many of the early arrivals here were fleeing fierce political repression at the hands of the military forces that ruled Guatemala for more than 30 years.

The pathways to freedom for dissidents fleeing repression are still open, and are being used by people fleeing poverty as well.

He also quietly speaks for immigrants who flee political repression and reside in America, swallowing indignities, desperate to stay under the radar.

Before June 16, Haitian boat people were repatriated without a hearing to determine whether they were fleeing political repression.

True, some have fled civil war and repression, but many more feel free to move back and forth between their native land and new homeland.

Thailand's relative prosperity attracts migrants from neighboring countries who flee conditions of poverty and, in the case of Burma, military repression.

The remainder who fail to receive documentation as refugees fleeing repression will stay stateless and helpless.