News: Kennedy Legislation Implementation

The Refugee Crisis in Iraq Act, which established in-country processing and 5,000 special visas for Iraqis working for US army or government, recently implemented the special visa program. Although the bill became law this past January, legal wrangling and the trademark turtle pace of change within the immigration bureaucracy had stalled the special visa program. The fact that it took about five months to implement the visa program and about four months to implement in-country processing reveals that our government does not recognize the immediacy of the threats against our Iraqi allies.

For an overview, The New York Times has the story:

The program will allow 5,000 Iraqis to go to the United States for each of the next five years. Each person can take immediate family members, who include spouses and children. More distant relatives, including siblings, parents and grandchildren, can apply under another program.

A second program, also established in January, whose rules were announced about six weeks ago, allows Iraqi employees of American nonprofit organizations, media companies and contractors to apply directly for refugee status instead of waiting for a referral from the United Nations. Like the special immigrant visa program, they can apply in Iraq and will be given support initially in the United States. Technically, anyone who qualifies will be accepted, State Department officials said.

Hardships in Finding jobs in Denmark

In spite of being qualified, the Iraqi refugees in Denmark have been going through a hard time in finding jobs, China View reported.

STCKHOLM, July 18 (Xinhua) -- About 100 Iraqi interpreters and aid workers granted asylum in Denmark last year are choosing to return to Iraq due to their unemployment, according to reports reaching here from Copenhagen Friday.

The Iraqis, who had worked for the Danish military in Iraq, arrived in Denmark with their families last July when the army withdrew its troops.

After one year in Denmark only a handful of the interpreters, 13 of whom are engineers, have found work, reported Danish public broadcaster DR, adding that Iraqi refugees are choosing an uncertain life in Iraq over unemployment in Denmark.

"Companies are currently experiencing a lack of qualified labor, including engineers, and it was believed that they would find work quickly. But despite being highly qualified and speaking fluent English, only one of the Iraqi engineers has found a job," said Treine Schou Tinborg, president of the National Association of Engineers (IDA).

Iraqi Refugees, Enemies?

It is really sad to see an American think of an Iraqi refugee as an enemy. This is either ignorance or simple hatred or maybe both. Iraqis who had suffered under Saddam had suffered even more when the U.S. invaded and occupied their country. Hundreds of thousands were kidnapped, tortured, beheaded, displaced and even buried alive in mass graves since the war started five years ago. And for what? For a war based on lies and private interests. And yet, there is this American woman named Bertha Avila from Marysville who is shocked to see Iraqis, whose lives were destroyed because of her country, being resettled and compensated for what they lost in Iraq.

What Bertha doesn't seem to understand or maybe doesn't seem to want to understand is that once upon a time those Iraqis had a relatively normal life compared to their destroyed life after her country invaded theirs. It is the least thing the U.S. could do to atone itself for what it did to those people's lives. Those were doctors, engineers, teachers, dentists, … etc. They are not enemies; they are the remaining seeds of a better future that for a while seemed dim.

Read Bertha's letter below:

Letter: Why is U.S. aiding Iraqi refugees?

The Department of Homeland Security has recently allowed refugees from Iraq to settle in our country through a program called U.S. Refugee Admission Program, and as of June 4, 6,480 Iraqis have been admitted into the USA and an additional 27,940 Iraqis referred to DHS for interviews, with approvals growing each day.

Iraq was considered a global terrorist threat. We go to war to prevent terrorism and then we turn around and welcome their displaced citizens into this country giving them special visas and loans to travel and all the benefits such as welfare, food and medical services while our own government is facing a recession?

I am puzzled and can't understand the fairness of this country. One day U.S. sons and daughters fighting in this bloody war will come home to be neighbors with the sons and daughters of the of the enemy enjoying the benefits they will only hope for.

Go to www.USCIS.gov and read all about this program.

Bertha Avila

Marysville

Failed Responsibility : The International Crisis Group details Iraqi Refugee Struggle

The International Crisis Group, a stellar organization which provides analysis and recommendations on current issues in foreign affairs, has recently issued a report detailing Iraqi Refugees (download the 46 page report here) and the way in which they have been neglected by governments both foreign and domestic, most notably the United States.

The report begins by stating the current statistics of refugees. It states that "Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis became displaced since 2005, with a significant spike after the Samarra
shrine bombing in February 2006. Up to five million Iraqis – nearly one in five(my italics) – are believed to have deserted their homes in a bid to find safety and security. About half took refuge as internally displaced persons (IDPs), either in the Kurdistan region, which has remained
peaceful, or in any other place within the country that was relatively sheltered from violence.
The other half – those who could afford both the journey and upfront costs – fled as refugees to neighboring countries, especially Jordan and Syria.

The report details their struggles: lack of funds, a turn to crime for the most desperate, and more importantly a lack of aid from their fellow Arab countries( who in some cases simply cannot provide it) as well as the rest of the international community, most notably the United States.

Referring to the U.S. it states that "Although it has contributed more than most, the U.S., whose policies unleashed the chaos that spawned the outflow, has clearly failed in its own
responsibilities: downplaying the issue, providing far less assistance to host countries than needed and admitting to its own shores merely a trickle of refugees and only after unprecedented security checks to which asylum seekers from other nations are not subjected."

The report assesses that although there have been improvements in the past months it is unlikely that many refugees will return, therefore not diminishing the crisis. The fact is most don't have much to return to.

The end of the executive summary leaves us with a sobering view: "This is a humanitarian tragedy, but it is more than that. Rich in oil, Iraq today is bankrupt in terms of human resources. It will take decades to recover and rebuild. Because most refugees come from what used to be the (largely secular) middle class, their flight has further impoverished Iraq and potentially deprived it of its professional stratum for a decade or more."

They insist that "The period of exile should be used to teach refugees new skills to facilitate their eventual social reintegration and contribution. There is every reason to assist host countries in that endeavour." There are other insightful recommendations For Iraq and the governments of Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon which encourage a deep commitment to the assistance of these refugees.

To the U.S. Government it proposes:
"8. Assume its responsibilities toward Iraqi citizens
turned refugees as a result of the conflict by:
(a) disconnecting the refugee issue from other
political considerations and making financial
support to refugees in Syria consistent with the
level of support extended to those in Jordan;
(b) exerting pressure on and providing assistance
to the Iraqi government to assume its responsibilities
as described above;
(c) stepping up the resettlement of Iraqis interviewed
successfully by the Department of
Homeland Security, starting with those found
especially vulnerable under UNHCR criteria
and those who worked for the U.S. military
or companies, such as translators; (again my italics)
(d) removing security checks and requirements
for Iraqi asylum seekers that exceed existing
standard procedures and making available
more and better functioning U.S. contact offices
to process asylum claims throughout
Iraq, where possible; and
(e) initiating cooperation programs with host countries
regarding civil service training, scholarships
and exchange agreements with foreign
universities."

This is a valuable framework with which to work with and begin to pressure Congress, the Depts. of State and Homeland Security, as well as the white house. Political rifts should not cause people to suffer, and it is clear that the U.S. has a moral obligation to these Iraqis. The faster we start working to expedite the process, the better.

Please read the report in it entirety, as it provides many insights and is a great analysis of the current situation.

News: Summary of the Amnesty International Report

Amnesty International recently released a report on Iraq refugees entitled, “Rhetoric and Reality: Iraqi Refugee Crisis.” The report is an overview of the refugee crisis and a devastating critique of its management. Below is a short summary of some of the salient points from the 70-page report that can be accessed here.

Syria

Before October 2007, Iraqi passage into Syria was not limited but since then, Syria implemented a visa system where only certain groups of Iraqis are eligible. Of those eligible for a visa include academics, Iraqis attending Syrian schools, Iraqis in need of medical attention in Syrian hospitals, and those who have commercial interests in Syria. The report indicates that during the implementation of the new visa scheme, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki sought the closure of the border altogether given the embarrassment to his government of refugees’ flight from Iraq.

It remains that Iraqis in Syria are barred by law from obtaining employment. The report highlights the prevalence of child labor as young children do menial jobs, such as selling chewing gum, instead of attending school.

The report also elucidates the health situation:

As a result of an agreement between UNHCR and the Syrian Ministry of Health, Iraqis registered with UNHCR who are seriously ill can receive treatment, including surgical operations, if they contribute financially, at clinics run by the Syrian Arab Red Crescent. However, this option not open to many as most Iraqis are not registered with the UNHCR and the financial contribution can be prohibitive. While UNHCR does provide some assistance to unregistered Iraqis who are ill, its ability to do so remains limited because of the low level of on-going funding.

Jordan

Jordan, too, has imposed new visa restrictions as of May. While less restrictive than the Syrian system, Jordan requires visas for Iraqis seeking to enter the country. For those already in Jordan, many lack necessary residency permits. The Jordanian government imposes heavy fines, $761 USD per day for those who overstay the visa. As in Syria, Iraqis in Jordan are barred from working are forced to deplete their life savings.

The report comments on the health of Iraqi refugee in Jordan:

Formally, Iraqi refugee have access to basic emergency health care. However, the limitation on further medical treatment, including limited access to specialist services, means there is a significant shortfall between what is needed and what is provided.

An Iraqi family in Amman, Jordan. Courtesy of UNHCR.

Lebanon

In February 2008, the Lebanese government announced a program of regularization for Iraqi refugees, all of whom where deemed illegal before that point. Consequently, many were imprisoned and released to coerce them back to Iraq. Thankfully, the government has implemented a program to give Iraqi refugees work/residency permits in February. However, a fine of $630 USD is required as well as a sponsor who must deposit $1,000 USD. The report indicates that the UNHCR has taken up paying the $630 fine.

Egypt

Egypt implemented a tight visa scheme in 2006. Treatment in Egypt has been rough as Iraqi refugees are not allowed to work, not granted social services, and not allowed to attend public schools; as opposed to Jordan and Syria which allow Iraqi youth into public schools.

Refugee Return

As mentioned earlier, the Iraqi government seeks the return of Iraqis despite the dangers. The report indicates:

Two highly publicized officially organized return convoys from Syria took place in November 2007, one from Aleppo and the other from Damascus. Of the 30 families who returned and were interviewed by one of UNHCR's partners in Iraq, only a third could go back to their original homes, while two thirds became internally displaced. Some of the returnees found their property looted, occupied or destroyed. In addition, the return incentive of around US $1,000 promised by the Iraqi government has yet to be received by the returnees according to reports.

Material Support Laws

A significant impediment to resettlement in the US, as the report acknowledges, are the material support for terrorist organization laws. These regulations, enhanced by the Patriot Act, refuse entry to anyone who has materially supported a terrorist organization. In the case of Iraqi refugees, those who have paid ransom to their loved ones’ kidnappers are oft found in contravention of these material support bars. Read Kirk Johnson’s op-ed about material support laws here and about the denial of permanent residency to a loyal Iraqi interpreter here. While there are waivers now for such cases, they are evaluated on a case by case basis while the overly broad law remains intact.

News Roundup: Vietnamese Refugees, Aid in Jordan, Photography

In The Moderate Voice, Dorian De Wind writes about the contrast between the American response to Vietnamese refugees and Iraqi ones. He writes:

America and Americans opened up their hearts and arms to this “first wave” of Vietnamese refugees. (Hundreds of thousands of additional Vietnamese would be given refuge in our country during the next 10 years.) Within a few months the refugees were resettled in communities throughout the U.S. Thousands were graciously welcomed by Americans into their own homes; thousands more were “sponsored” by social and welfare organizations and provided with jobs. The vast majority would become hard-working, productive, loyal and grateful residents of our country.

A model, indeed, for what the US response to the current Iraqi refugee crisis could be.

The Christian Science Monitor has recently reported about the aid given to the Jordanian government to boost their resources to provide services to its Iraqi refugee population. According to the article, the UNHCR gave 61% of its operational budget to Jordan in 2007. For example, the UNHCR gave $10 million to the Jordanian education ministry, the European Community gave $39 million, and USAID gave $8 million to support the education of Iraqi refugees. But the article notes the following:

But for the 2007-08 school year, fewer than 20,000 Iraqi students were enrolled in the public schools. While the yearly cost of educating a student was estimated by the government at about $800 a year, Jordan received more than $2,100 in aid for every Iraqi student in 2007.

Another area where the Jordanian government has received aid for Iraqis is in the health sector. The article relates:

UNHCR gave another $10 million to Jordan's Health Ministry in 2007. Given this support, Jordan said Iraqis could get primary healthcare in public hospitals at low fees. Many of the poorest still go to nongovernmental clinics run by UNHCR's partners, where care is free.

What the article implies is that this aid that is ostensibly for Iraqi refugees is ending up benefiting the Jordanian ministries. Countries that welcome Iraqi refugees ought to be helped with the burden this population presents on the country's resources but the aid given also must be carefully monitored. Given that the UNHCR is suffering from serious shortfalls in funding from international donor countries, it ought to be very discriminate about where and how its aid is used.

Furthermore, a new photography book entitled, Silent Exodus: Portraits of Iraqi Refugees in Exile, will come out in October, 2008. The photographer, Zalmai, documented the lives of Iraqis in Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon and the introduction is written by Khaled Hosseini, author of The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns. A photograph from the collection is featured below.

News: TLP Launches Netroots and The List Kids

The List Project recently launched two new exciting programs. The List Project: Netroots is an online social networking service that lets people make profiles and join with others to directly organize around the Iraqi refugee issue. By creating local chapters of The List Project, members can band together and opt to sponsor an Iraqi family and provide direct help such as organizing fundraisers, mobilizing the community to help, aiding the family with employment, and writing letters to local newspapers about the family and the refugee issue. There are other ways these groups can help including organizing events to raise awareness and helping The List Kids (see below). The Netroots project is less than a week old and already has nearly 200 members and 8 local chapters. Visit the Netroots website, sign up, and get involved with a local chapter or make your own. Also, the first 25 people to create a chapter that reaches 25 members will get a free List Project t-shirt!

You can also embed the following badge on your MySpace and Facebook profiles. Click here for more.

View my page on The List Project: Netroots


Furthermore, The List Kids was recently launched by enterprising 11 year old Sky Choi and serves to help the children of US-affiliated Iraqi families resettled in the US. The List Kids assembles care packages for these children consisting cards and gifts donated by generous individuals. People can make welcome cards, donate video game systems, donate gift cards from clothing stores, raise funds and more. Click here to learn what you can do. Two 9 year olds in Louisiana even donated money to The List Kids by selling lemonade. Please visit The List Kids website for more information and also check out Sky's List Kids blog.

News: Laura Bush Introduces Resettled Iraqi Refugee

This past World Refugee Day, June 20th, First Lady Laura Bush spoke of America's accomplishments in resettling world refugees. Of the three refugees she presented, one was an Iraqi. According to Ken Bacon, the President of Refugee International, Mrs. Bush had this to say:

Zeyad Abdel Okhowa fled Iraq with his family after his work with the U.S. Embassy in Al Hillah put him in danger. Today, he works with the State Department's Digital Outreach Team to help improve understanding between Arab and Muslim communities and the United States.

Now, the question to present to Mrs. Bush and more relevantly, her husband, is why more Iraqis like Zeyad Abdel Okhowa are not resettled and for those who are, why are they not employed with the government to utilize their crucial knowledge of Iraq? Regardless, Ken Bacon rightly notes that the inclusion of Zeyad Abdel Okhowa is significant given the White House's silence on the Iraqi refugee crisis.