U.S. Denies Syrian Stowaway’s Request for Asylum

NEW ORLEANS — The federal government Monday denied asylum for a Syrian stowaway who jumped handcuffed into the Mississippi River last week, one of his attorneys said.

The Immigration and Naturalization Service said its decision was based on a State Department recommendation regarding Mohammed Marie, 20, who has identified himself as a native Syrian of Palestinian descent, said Jessica Bagg, Marie’s attorney.

The stowaway, who claimed he was persecuted because he is a Sunni Moslem, can stay in the country while the decision is appealed to an immigration judge, Bagg said.

Marie, who jumped into the river from the Liberian-registered freighter Enard Hope and asked for asylum last Thursday, remained in a section of the Orleans Parish jail reserved for federal prisoners.