"The law is an ass," goes an old saying. And not just in the USA. Via Ummah News Links:

LONDON

The government lost a legal battle yesterday over the status of nine Afghans who hijacked a plane, flew it to London and threatened to blow it up if they were denied political asylum.

British Home Secretary John Reid lost a Court of Appeal battle over his legal powers to take away the right to work and curb the freedom of nine Afghans who hijacked a plane to enter Britain six years ago.

The court dismissed Reid's appeal and upheld an earlier High Court ruling which said the hijackers were entitled to 'discretionary leave' to enter and remain in Britain.

That allows them to work, possibly claim state benefits and support their families in Britain.