2 Brits who sought free speech asylum to be deported after months in US custody

Asylum-seeking Brits wait deportation in US jail

SANTA ANA, Calif. — Two Britons seeking asylum in the United States after being convicted of hate speech crimes in their homeland will be deported after nearly a year in U.S. custody.

Simon Sheppard and Stephen Whittle fled in July 2008 after being convicted of publishing hate speech against Jews and other groups on their Web site. The men sought asylum under America’s free speech protections.

The men believed they were being persecuted for their right-wing views by Britain’s Labor government.

They were taken into custody at Los Angeles International Airport when they asked a uniformed U.S. official for help.

An immigration judge ordered that the men be deported to England, where they likely will be sentenced to jail time.

Information from: Los Angeles Times, www.latimes.com