Saturday, January 20, 2007

no moral obligation

For Iraqi refugees, U.S. hard to enter
Jan. 18, 2007 Los Angeles Times

Few have resettled here because of post-Sept. 11 laws, leaving lawmakers concerned.
... The president also sets an annual quota for refugee admissions, including a set number for emergencies. For the 2006 fiscal year, which ended Sept. 30, President Bush allocated 70,000 refugee admissions, 5,500 of which were designated for the Middle East and 10,000 of which were for emergencies. About 50,000 refugees were allowed into America last year, only 202 of whom were from Iraq.


For Iraqi refugees, U.S. hard to enter
Jan. 18, 2007 Los Angeles Times

Few have resettled here because of post-Sept. 11 laws, leaving lawmakers concerned.

WASHINGTON Two years ago, an Iraqi man shepherded his wife and six children onto a bus that took them to Turkey.

They got away from the militants who threatened to kill him for delivering water to the U.S. military.

Five countries, four continents and almost 18 months later, they arrived at the U.S.-Mexico border crossing at San Ysidro, Calif. The man, an Iraqi Christian who calls himself John, handed border officials a fake Greek passport and told them that “I was an Iraqi” and “needed their help.”

John and his family were granted asylum two months ago, but they are among the few Iraqis able to resettle in the United States, where laws put in place after Sept. 11, 2001, have made it difficult for refugees to gain entry.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees estimates that about 2 million Iraqis have fled their country and an additional 40,000 to 50,000 more leave every month — but only 466 have been granted entry to the United States since 2003.

On Tuesday, John and others testified before a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing intended to highlight the region’s refugee crisis, which has gained momentum since sectarian violence increased dramatically last year. Although State Department officials say the problem is one of their top priorities, lawmakers questioned the administration’s commitment to the issue, especially regarding Iraqis who worked for the United States.

Drawing comparisons to the refugee problem created after the Vietnam War, lawmakers framed the issue as one of moral obligation, strategic prudence and opportunity — particularly to reopen contacts with Syria, where about 500,000 Iraqis have sought refuge.

“We should not repeat the tragic and immoral mistake from the Vietnam era and leave friends without a refuge and subject to violent reprisals,” said the Judiciary Committee chairman, Sen. Patrick Leahy, a Vermont Democrat.

A new U.S. program offers special immigrant visas to Afghan and Iraqi translators working with the U.S. military, but only 50 are available each year.

The president also sets an annual quota for refugee admissions, including a set number for emergencies. For the 2006 fiscal year, which ended Sept. 30, President Bush allocated 70,000 refugee admissions, 5,500 of which were designated for the Middle East and 10,000 of which were for emergencies. About 50,000 refugees were allowed into America last year, only 202 of whom were from Iraq.

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