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62 °F Forecast | Road Cams Tuesday, August 3, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Prime Times Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend July 9, 2004 Judge drops Rein case By PAUL FATTIG Mail Tribune WILLIAMS — To Kari Rein, the two most beautiful words in the English language are: "Case dismissed." A native of Norway who faced possible deportation because of a 1993 marijuana conviction, the Williams resident heard those words Wednesday from Judge Michael Bennett, a U.S. Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement judge in Portland. In dismissing the case during the immigration hearing in Portland, Bennett cited the bureau’s recommendation that it be dropped, according to David Shomloo, Rein’s attorney. "I’m very happy and feel very relieved," Rein said in a telephone call to the Mail Tribune. "It feels very good." Last month, the prosecuting attorney for the United States as well as Shomloo had requested the case be dismissed. Advertisement Rein was pardoned in May by Gov. Ted Kulongoski for the 1993 conviction. She was arrested last December under the immigration law while returning to the States from a Christmas vacation to Norway with her husband, James Jungwirth, and their two young children. A computer check by customs officials at Sea-Tac Airport near Seattle flagged her immigration green card. Airport security began running green cards through the law enforcement database after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Under the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, immigrants arrested for minor drug offenses, even those which occurred before Congress passed the law, can be deported, according to federal officials. Both Rein, 42, and her husband were convicted in the case involving the possession of six marijuana plants. It was the first and only time either had been charged with a crime. Each was given three years of probation, was required to perform 240 hours of community service and paid a $1,200 fine. The couple have repeatedly stressed that growing the illegal plants was a mistake. Rein has filed an application for naturalization with the immigration service. "I would like to become a U.S. citizen," she said in an earlier interview. "I got in trouble before I could apply. I hope that with a pardon I can do that." Her husband and children are all native-born citizens, the latter having been born in Josephine County. The family has lived in Williams for more than 16 years. The couple own and operate Naturespirit Herbs, a mail-order business harvesting native herbs as well as edible and medicinal seaweeds. Reach reporter Paul Fattig at 776-4496 or e-mail him at [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times