Bill pushes for extradition of convicted criminals abroad

Two House lawmakers have introduced legislation to bolster the federal government’s efforts to extradite fugitives who have sought refuge abroad.

The bill authored by New Jersey Reps. Chris Smith, a Republican, and Albio Sires, a Democrat, would direct the president to submit a report to Congress within approximately nine months on the number of convicted criminals living in other countries who still haven’t been handed over to the U.S.

Smith and Sires cited the example of the 1973 murder of New Jersey state trooper Werner Foerster. Joanne Chesimard was later convicted of murder, but was granted political asylum by Fidel Castro after escaping from prison in 1979. Chesimard currently lives in Cuba and has been able to avoid serving the remainder of her prison term.

{mosads}”Instead of continuing to allow violent criminals to live openly abroad – apparently outside of our government’s reach – we must strengthen the executive branch’s ability to take action to resolve such failed extraditions,” Smith said in a statement. “This bill will force the administration to shine a bright light on nations that harbor fugitives and build up U.S. efforts to extradite criminals who have escaped justice so far.”

The lawmakers called on the Obama administration to prioritize upping pressure on Cuba to send American fugitives like Chesimard back to the U.S.

“This legislation takes steps towards extraditing fugitives that have evaded justice for far too long by hiding under the Castro brothers’ protection,” Sires said.

The report required under their bill would include details on diplomatic efforts to secure extradition of fugitives, the average length time of cases and how many cases have been resolved.