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Thousands of Iraqis will be awarded visas allowing them to settle permanently in the United States,
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Thousands of Iraqis who fear being killed because they worked for the American government or military in Iraq will be awarded visas allowing them to settle permanently in the United States, the U.S. embassy said.
The embassy said on Thursday a
The U.S. government and military has employed thousands of Iraqis since the 2003 invasion, and many have been killed or faced the threat of death from insurgents who view them as collaborators.
The U.S. government has been criticized for not doing enough to protect them.
Richard Albright, the U.S. embassy's senior coordinator for refugee issues, said Iraqis who worked for the United States longer than three months since March 20, 2003, may be eligible.
"Applicants must show they ... have experienced an ongoing serious threat as a result of that employment," Albright said. He added: "the recipients receive permanent residence in the United States; they can stay for the rest of their lives."
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security last year accepted thousands of refugees under a resettlement program after President George W. Bush's administration came under fire from Congress for taking only 466 Iraqi refugees since the war began.
An existing visa scheme for translators allows 500 Iraqis into the United States each year, so this
Britain started accepting Iraqi translators as refugees last November, after militants killed some of its interpreters.
Like other refugees to the United States, the
holy crap!
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Thousands of Iraqis who fear being killed because they worked for the American government or military in Iraq will be awarded visas allowing them to settle permanently in the United States, the U.S. embassy said.
The embassy said on Thursday a
who risked their lives in order to serve the United States," Ambassador Ryan Crocker said in a statement.
The U.S. government and military has employed thousands of Iraqis since the 2003 invasion, and many have been killed or faced the threat of death from insurgents who view them as collaborators.
The U.S. government has been criticized for not doing enough to protect them.
Richard Albright, the U.S. embassy's senior coordinator for refugee issues, said Iraqis who worked for the United States longer than three months since March 20, 2003, may be eligible.
"Applicants must show they ... have experienced an ongoing serious threat as a result of that employment," Albright said. He added: "the recipients receive permanent residence in the United States; they can stay for the rest of their lives."
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security last year accepted thousands of refugees under a resettlement program after President George W. Bush's administration came under fire from Congress for taking only 466 Iraqi refugees since the war began.
An existing visa scheme for translators allows 500 Iraqis into the United States each year, so this
Albright said.
Britain started accepting Iraqi translators as refugees last November, after militants killed some of its interpreters.
Like other refugees to the United States, the
Albright said.
http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSL2491496220080724?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0
holy crap!
And they will get business loans we cant even beg for on top of all of the help. Low interest low payments.