If you want to deport anyone, deport the criminals on the streets. It is rare enough to have a great teacher in our education system, to send this great resource back is a great shame.
At a time when our limited governmental resources should be directed toward safeguarding national security, Mr. Auttouoman's deportation proceedings are a noteworthy example of the egregious misallocation of time and personnel this administration should be seeking to diminish. Let's get our priorities straight.
This is the most shameful example of inflexible bureaucracy that I've ever seen. Is our government really so stubborn and short-sighted that we would deport one of our most productive and decent citizens in the name of a technicality?
This is yet another excellent example of how the White House continues to be blind to the real, solvable problems that face our nation. Perhaps before we "bring freedom" to the world, we could bring it back to the United States.
Mr. Bush and Mr. Chertoff, show the American people that you care about their children. Let Mr. Auttouoman stay.
Justin Drechsler
Dear President Bush & Congress,
Mr. Auttouoman is a model Boston Public Schools Teacher. His committment to our students is far above that of many of our teachers. In addition he has been an upstanding contributor to the Boston Community and to the U.S. Since 9/11 the immigrant community, and those seeking to come to this country for a better life, have found that the United States isn't a welcoming place. Perhaps we have forgotten that this country was built on immigrants and that the only true "Americans" are the Native Americans who we have managed to treat like second class citizens. For a country built on the blood of immigrants - especially Africans who were forced to immigrant here - we should be more sensitive, caring, and fair. Do the right thing and grant Obain Auttouoman U.S. citizenship - he's truly been a citizen all along.
Mr. Bush
If this teacher is a positive influence and has been for years, why not let him stay.
It's teacher's like him that we need in our children's life,
someone who cares about them and want them to achieve their goals.
There is a terrible breakdown of the system if a well loved teacher who is an inspiration to our youth can get ripped from his home and sent into harm's way over over a stupid technicality. this is outrageous!
To have a teacher who has his youth so impassioned about keeping him and willing to take on the President of the Unites States- the story speaks for itself that this is a teacher worth keeping.
Obviously Mr. Auttouoman is a great teacher if his students have trekked all the way to Washington D.C. to protest his removal! Please listen to THEM, if not us.
I think that it's unfair to deport him for such and honest mistake. It's not like he was here feeding off the government. He was giving to the youths of Boston. Who obviously love this man. One thing we need in this city are more teachers like him who really cater to the minds of the urban youths of Boston.
I think it is ashame that there are people who are willing to sacrifice the education of our children based on a technicality, than to focus their attention on fighting terror in this country and our communities. It is extremely difficult to find teachers who love to teach and to make a difference in our childrens lives, I know, I have children in the Boston school system. So, to have our teenagers rally around thier teacher says alot about this gentleman.
Es triste ver que un buen profesor este viviendo esto, cuando hay tantos narcotraficantes, terroristas sueltos y asilados en este pais, que lo unico que hacen es aprovecharse del sistema y buscar dinero facil y un profesor que es tan dificil conseguir que trabaja para llevarse el pan a su boca tenga que ser tratado como un criminal solo por es suweño americano, caramba deportemos a aquellos que violan las leyes americas y no contribuyen nada positivo al país, pero el es un lider luchando por sus derechos y su comunidad.
Reflexionemos!!!!!
Why is it that violence is more important in this country than education I will never ever understand this. this educator is wonderful and you want to deny our children an education by taking away their teacher, this is a sad day in this country when we allow people like martha stewart not and educator .which is jail vs education. if you cheat the government allows you freedom if you educate, you must vacate.
please take time to think about this person. He has spent his time here educating our children and we should support anyone who puts our children first
Dear President Bush and Mr. Chertoff,
Please stand up for the right thing and see that Obain Auttouoman is not deported back to the Ivory Coast of Africa. Obain has shown his loyalty and commitment to our country by coming here and giving back to our children. Obain did not choose an easy assignment as a teacher, he has worked with children who are learning disabled and made a real difference in their lives. As we strive not to leave any children behind we need dedicated and hard working teachers like Obain.
Sincerely, Gail Stryker, RN, BSN, M.Ed.
At the very least, this is the worst of bureaucracy at work. Having decided that Auttouoman is a political refugee, it makes no sense to send it back into harm's way in such a miniscule technicality.
Let's find Osama Bin Laden and other Terrorists! Good teachers are very hard to find. Let this man stay here and continue to do the wonderful job he has been doing!!!!!!
The implications of this particular case are, at miminum, disturbing. One is forced to wonder just how many other indidivduals in Mr. Auttouoman's situation, but without the extraordinary advocacy he has earned, are being unjustly persecuted by officials "just following procedures."
I think that he deserves to stay here in the U.S as all he is trying to do is make a better life for himself and other's here. For what I've heard through parent's and student's @ the Fenway is that he is a good spirited and understanding teacher. If you ask me we need more teacher's like him in the system. Therefore I ask please let him stay.
Often times we can make exceptions to the rules. This is one of those times. This man (Obain Auttouoman) should be given the chance to at least be heard. We know about the injustice(s) that have taken place in Africa; is America in support of this injustice. Does this mean he does not get a voice.
It seems that through a tiny administrative error (messy handwriting, in this case)a vital contributor to the community would be returned to Ivory Coast to have his life in danger. This makes no sense and is immoral. Also, there are legal means to prevent this potential tragedy from occurring. Please use these means and prevent this from happening.
We need to keep this man in this country not only as a teacher, which he is obviously a fine one, but as a person of fine character. Mr. Auttouoman does not take the freedom, and all that goes with it, lightly. Please let him become an American citizen.
Jean Hartman
I am very disturbed and appaled at the policy this country has of deporting a person who is an asset to the community as well as the state and country as well. While on the other hand, we embrace undesirable individualities who are of questionable characterand morales and are liabilities and threats to the US. I donotunderstand the logic! I am Very, Very concerned!
Hi,
Having quality educators within our school systems should be the priority of our leaders and parents. The support the young adults have demonstrated over the past week for their teacher (Obain Auttouoman) demonstrates that our country is developing mindful, focused and inspirational future leaders. As a taxpayer, parents and educator, I support the vision of these young people. Lets do all we can to support our educator!!!!
This is a perfect example of how a rigid application of law leads to unjust results. This should never be what our country is about. Mr. Auttouoman is the kind of person we want and need.
Obain stands as a prime example of what makes America great for students who too often are presented cynical views of this country and this government. He is in my prayers. I am a fellow educator and a proud American. God Bless, Obain.
A good government should treat people fairly. Not giving someone a fair asylum hearing because of a misread court date violates due process and puts bureaucratic procedures as more important than the values they were created to uphold.
Even if Mr. Auttouoman were not a widely beloved and respected educator, what kind of "rule" is it that would send an asylum seeker, after years in limbo, back to a country where he or she faces the likely prospect of persecution - all on account of a simple and honest mistake that anyone could make and that no one thinks indicates any real wrongdoing? Please open your heart for this good man, and let your spirit of compassion overrule the inflexibility of bureaucratic government regulations. There will be no cost to anyone, only a great many winners.
