The Iroquois Passports – Are They Causing A Security Problem?

The subject of passports seems to be talked about on the news quite often these days and the Lacrosse Championships brought this issue to the forefront once again.  The Iroquois lacrosse team was going to England to compete in the World Championship but were denied entrance to the United Kingdom because they did not hold regular American or Canadian passports.

There were other teams from Canada and the United States and they all had their officially issued documents but the Iroquois Native American team possessed passports that, as in the past, were issued by the Iroquois Nation.  Since there were denied entrance, they could not compete and it took a special order from Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to get them back into the United States since passports are also vital for reentry into your home country.  The UK, however, did not abide by Ms. Clinton’s edict.

There are several opinions surrounding this incident and this situation.  There has never been a time in history when the threat of terrorism has been greater.  Additional restrictions are being implements to improve national security in all nations around the world.  The Iroquois passports do not contain the standard anti-fraud devices that are present in other regularly issued passports which make it easier for them to land in the hands of a criminal or terrorist and be used successfully if restrictions were not implemented on them.

Those closely affect by this ruling feel singled out and prevented from expressing pride in their heritage.  For years, the Iroquois passports have been acceptable for international travel and they don’t understand why that should change now. They feel they are being alienated from the rest of the world and do not want to change their traditions or customs related to passports.

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.

Passports are certainly very important documents.  They are so valuable that they are often stolen or forged and counterfeited so it is important that all safeguards available are used concerning their issue and use.  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.  There is certainly a lot to consider here but our national security and that of other nations must always be our prime motive regarding this issue.