Notable Quotes about the Iraqi
Refugee Crisis and our Iraqi Allies
'We must also keep faith with Iraqis who kept faith with us…One tragic outcome of this war is that the Iraqis who stood with America - the interpreters, embassy workers, and subcontractors - are being targeted for assassination…And yet our doors are shut. In April, we admitted exactly one Iraqi refugee - just one!
That is not how we treat our friends. That is not how we take responsibility for our own actions. That is not who we are as Americans.
Keeping this moral obligation is a key part of how we turn the page in Iraq. Because what's at stake is bigger than this war - it's our global leadership. Now is a time to be bold. We must not stay the course or take the conventional path because the other course is unknown. To quote Dr. Brzezinski - we must not allow ourselves to become ‘prisoners of uncertainty.’' - President Barack Obama
'While we will focus our efforts on improving conditions so that Iraqis don't have to flee in the first place, we will also recognize our moral obligation to help those we have put at risk in Iraq -- the interpreters, the soldiers and the workers who have assisted our troops. I have been to Iraq three times. I have met these great people who cast their bond with America. Many of them have been assassinated and members of their families as well. I believe we owe an obligation, particularly to them. So as part of this global humanitarian effort, governments in both the Middle East and the West as well as here in the United States, have to take in asylum seekers, with the Commissioner of Refugees developing a plan to help them return to Iraq once the country has stabilized.' - Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
'America has a strong obligation to keep faith with the Iraqis who have worked so bravely with us - and have often paid a terrible price for it. Regardless of where we stand on the war with Iraq, we are united in our belief that America has a fundamental obligation to assist the Iraqis who have courageously supported our forces and our effort in Iraq and whose lives are in peril as a result. The target of the assassin's bullet is now on their back, and our government has a responsibility to try to save their lives. We cannot afford to continue to jeopardize the lives of one of our most valuable and essential partners in Iraq - - the Iraqi people who bravely support us in the face of constant fear and danger.' - Sen. Edward "Ted" Kennedy (D-MA)
'The current Iraqi refugee crisis is one of grief and sorrow. At over 4 million refugees and internally displaced people, this is a humanitarian problem cannot go ignored. The focus of this situation should be kept on assisting those affected. We must do our part both by aiding those nations that are absorbing the refugees and by stepping up efforts to resettle certain refugees in the United States. So many brave Iraqis have risked their lives and the lives of their family members to support our effort there. We thank them, we applaud them, and we will not leave them in their time of need.' - Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS)
'Our [Iraqi staff members] work under extremely difficult conditions, and are targets for violence including murder and kidnapping. Unless they know that there is some hope of an [immigrant visa] in the future, many will continue to seek asylum, leaving our Mission lacking in one of our most valuable assets.' - Amb. Ryan Crocker, US Ambassador to Iraq
'Because of our role in the
chaos that has befallen Iraq, it is imperative that the United
States assume a greater obligation for the flood of Iraqi
refugees. A significant number have had their safety, and that of
their families, put at risk because of their involvement with
Americans. Reaching out to refugees who have risked their lives to
help Americans - at their own peril - is the least we can do! My
experience fighting to provide asylum for an Iraqi interpreter for
the Oregon National Guard was eye opening. This administration's
record in helping and working with Iraqi refugees is shameful and
must be corrected.' - Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR)
'The United States government has a moral responsibility to lead the
international response to the Iraqi refugee crisis. We urge the
State Department to make it a priority to address the Iraqi refugee
crisis and lead the international response as a focal point of
United States diplomatic efforts in the region.' - Reps. John
Dingell (D-MI) and Alcee Hastings (D-FL)
'We are committed to honoring our moral debt to those Iraqis who
have provided assistance to the United States military and embassy.'
- Under-Secretary of State Paula Dobriansky
'The humanitarian crisis caused by the millions of Iraqis who have
been displaced is staggering. The United States has a moral
obligation to help those Iraqis who have assisted or are assisting
our military and civilian forces, and this legislation will bring us
closer to fulfilling that responsibility. This legislation will also
pave the way for religious minority groups - many of whom are caught
in the crossfire of sectarian violence and are particularly
vulnerable - to apply directly to the U.S. for refugee status.' -
Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI)
'The people that I'm most worried about in the near term are the
people who've worked for and with us who might be subject to
recrimination and reprisal. And we're trying to step up our efforts
on their behalf.' - Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
'America has a basic responsibility give a hand to the brave Iraqis
who put their lives at risk to help our troops. We cannot strand or
abandon them. What we can do is provide a safe haven and a little
assistance to help them get their feet back on the ground.' -
Sen. Gordon Smith (R-OR)