Fmr. Senator Boren worked on behalf of the boys As previously reported by the Oklahoma Political News Service, Congressman Ernest Istook, Republican candidate for Governor, has been accused of grandstanding on the issue of illegal immigration by Bob Sullivan, his opponent in the GOP primary. Specifically, Sullivan cites H.R. 848,1999, a bill sponsored by Congressman Istook that granted citizenship to two boys from Iran. An examination of the bill and Judiciary Committee Report indicate that Sullivan’s attacks are disingenuous at best. From the report: “The boys' father was executed in Iran in 1984. The mother and her young sons hid in Iran for a year before coming to the U.S. and applying for political asylum. The boys were 7 and 8 years old when they came to the U.S. After 12 years, the application for asylum was denied in April 1997. In the meantime, these young boys grew up in Oklahoma, graduated from high school, were students at the University of Oklahoma, and now are both working. They have lost both parents, neither boy has any connection to Iran, and they have very little knowledge of the Muslim faith, Iranian culture, or the Farsi language. The boys currently live with their aunt and uncle--their mother's siblings--in Oklahoma.” Moreover, Sullivan seems to be treading in murky water given that the bill enjoyed strong support in Oklahoma. Former Senator and current president of the University of Oklahoma, David Boren, even wrote a letter on behalf of the two boys. In the letter, Boren called the bill, “an opportunity to positively impact the future of these boys and their education.” Oklahoma Political News Service will continue to investigate. Posted at 6/26/2006 11:51:00 AM