Two Americans who say they deserted the U.S. military because they opposed the war in Iraq have lost their bid to be accepted as refugees by Canada. The Supreme Court of Canada declined to hear appeals from Jeremy Hinzman and Brandon Hughey, over decisions by immigration authorities that they were not refugees in need of protection. That decision was backed by two other courts. The men say they were forced to flee the United States, where they could now face a court martial and up to five years in prison. Canada was a refuge for thousands of Americans avoiding service during the Vietnam War, but Canadian courts note that Hinzman and Hughey did not face forced conscription but were volunteers. Both men deserted when they learnt their units would be deployed to Iraq. It could still take months before they can be sent to the United States, said Lee Zaslofsky of the War Resisters Support Campaign. “They won't be deported tomorrow; there is a process,” said Zaslofsky, himself a Vietnam War deserter. He said the immigration department would ask if the two men want to do a “pre-removal risk assessment,” which can take months.
