Immigration Detains Kenyan Long Distance Runners

[Mulboyne]

Mainichi: Kenyan runner faces deportation for violating visa
An amateur marathon runner from Kenya could face deportation after he was deemed to be breaking the terms of his visa by the Nagoya Regional Immigration Bureau during his final oral hearing. Simon Maina Munyi lodged an appeal with the Minister of Justice the same day. Under the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Law, if his appeal fails, he could be ordered to leave the country. Munyi, 30, moved to Japan in 1997 as an amateur runner, however, after losing his job following an injury last year, Munyi was hired by another company. He then failed to enter any further races, according to the immigration bureau, which was in violation of his visa requirements. The office also judged that he was not contributing to his employer's business activities, nor was he receiving a monthly salary of at least 250,000 yen; also a stipulation of his visa. Munyi argued that he was training for upcoming races. Should the Ministry of Justice order Munyi's deportation, he can take his battle to stay to the courts. However, Takahide Watanabe, 50, head of the Owariasahi Running Club backing Munyi, said, "Even if this goes to court, it'll take time and eat into his running career. Financially, it's also going to be tough." Fellow athlete and Kenyan national Joseph Mwaura Kamau has also been detained by the immigration bureau. His hearing begins Wednesday.

[Cyka UchuuJin]

[quote="Mulboyne"]Mainichi: Kenyan runner faces deportation for violating visa
An amateur marathon runner from Kenya could face deportation after he was deemed to be breaking the terms of his visa by the Nagoya Regional Immigration Bureau during his final oral hearing. Simon Maina Munyi lodged an appeal with the Minister of Justice the same day. Under the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Law, if his appeal fails, he could be ordered to leave the country. Munyi, 30, moved to Japan in 1997 as an amateur runner, however, after losing his job following an injury last year, Munyi was hired by another company. He then failed to enter any further races, according to the immigration bureau, which was in violation of his visa requirements. The office also judged that he was not contributing to his employer's business activities, nor was he receiving a monthly salary of at least 250,000 yen]

it's not totally unlikely that there's a correlation between what happened with me and this case. we were just discussing it the other night over dinner at the residence.

however now that a kenyan is in the white house, it'll be interesting to see if my adopted home becomes flavour of the month again.