Activist may not return for five years: [2 Edition]

Waikato Times [Hamilton, New Zealand] 24 Aug 1996: 3.

Karen Rosenblum-Cale was deported last night and may not be able to return to New Zealand for five years.

Dr Rosenblum-Cale, a US political science professor and activist, left behind her heartbroken de facto husband Barry Cope, who said on a sickness benefit of $117.18 a week he could not afford to follow her to the US. He did not know when he would see his partner again.

A late bid to the High Court at Hamilton to have the overstayer's deportation order delayed failed, as did an appeal from Hamilton West MP Martin Gallagher to Immigration Minister Trevor Maxwell.

Mr Cope said his faith in New Zealand had been shaken.

"I'm upset at how they (the Immigration Service) did it, not what they did. I can't believe it would happen in this country."

Dr Rosenblum-Cale was arrested on Thursday night and held in police custody until she left for Auckland yesterday lunchtime. The couple complained that authorities gave no notice and she was given just 30 minutes to pack four years' possessions.

The Immigration Service defended its actions, saying they were standard and Dr Rosenblum-Cale had been given plenty of time to leave the country voluntarily.

The removal order was first served in June 1993, after her work permit had expired in December 1992.

She lost her appeal and then had a subsequent application for refugee status declined by the Immigration Service on the grounds the application was "manifestly abusive and unfounded". She again appealed but lost in April 1996.

Service spokeswoman Ann Howarth said a removal order meant a person could not enter New Zealand for five years from the date of their removal.

Among Dr Rosenblum-Cale's supporters were Mr Gallagher and Wel Energy Trust member Pat Neagle. Mr Gallagher said he was surprised at the High Court's decision.

"Dr Rosenblum-Cale should have been given two weeks to arrange other legal procedures."

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Illustration

CAPTION: IT'S OVER: Karen Rosenblum Cale, 55, extradited from New Zealand last night after struggling for three years to stay. HEARTBREAK: Barry Cope sits outside the court yesterday not knowing when he would next see his partner.