The List Project Blog

Green Zone Screening in L.A.

noreply@blogger.com (Ann) — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:25:00 +0000

The List Project traveled to L.A. last week to co-host a screening of Green Zone, starring Matt Damon, with Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA).

Nearly 500 people attended the screening, which was followed by a discussion with Rajiv Chandrasekaran (author of Imperial Life in the Emerald City), our founder Kirk Johnson, and Paul Rieckhoff (Founder and Executive Director of IAVA).

We would like to extend our thanks to the supporters who joined us, NING, Rajiv and Julie Chandrasekaran, Universal Studios, Book-pal.com and Vintage Books for their time and generous contributions.

Read Excerpts of Deb Amos's New Book: The Eclipse of the Sunnis

noreply@blogger.com (M. Walleser) — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 03:19:00 +0000

A few days ago we linked to a piece that Deborah Amos did on prostitution among Iraqi refugees in Syria. Deborah has a new book coming out which we also mentioned. Called "Eclipse of the Sunnis: Power, Exile and Upheaval in the Middle East," the book looks at Iraq's transition in the wake of the American invasion from Sunni minority dictatorial rule to what is now a government largely powered by the Shiite majority. A large portion of the book will also detail the exodus of the over two million Iraqi refugees who have fled the sectarian conflict that ensued after the war began, and which still, even with the decline in violence, sits simmering under the surface of Iraqi politics and society today.

Here you can look at a few excerpts from the book, both the Introduction, as well as a piece called "The Most Honest Housewife in the World"

From the looks of these excerpts the book looks great, and I cant wait to get my hands on it.

Also as an aside, Ms. Amos is going to be promoting her book at a few upcoming events in New York City, including a fundraiser for the New York Chapter of TLP! I'll post some more details about the opportunity to see Ms. Amos in the coming days, but for now you'll just have to go out and pick up the book!

Iraqi Refugees and Prostitution

noreply@blogger.com (M. Walleser) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 06:03:00 +0000

Deborah Amos, a veteran correspondent of the Middle East, goes inside the the underworld of prostitution among Iraqi Refugees. These women have been forced into this occupation for a myriad of reasons, chief among them is the fact that some host countries, such as Syria (which is detailed in this piece) bar refugees from employment. Thus refugee women are forced into deplorable situations to support themselves and their families.

Read the Full Article here:

Dancing For their Lives - Deborah Amos - Foreign Policy

And, for a little more info, Deborah Amos, the author of this article (as well as the upcoming book: Eclipse of the Sunnis: Power, Exile and Upheaval in the Middle East ) is interviewed by everyone's favorite COIN theorist, Abu Muqawama. In it she talks about her thoughts about the future of Iraqi's Refugees, and on a lighter note, her love affair with Middle Eastern cuisine.

In the News : Deportations

noreply@blogger.com (M. Walleser) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 20:56:00 +0000

Europe Sends More Iraqi Refugees Home - The Wall Street Journal

The Wall Street Journal has a story that tells of European countries' attempts to deport an increasing number of refugees, citing their view that Iraq is safe enough for them to return. Another reason it is thought that these policies are taking effect is the recent rise in the popularity of conservative political parties, which has led to a backlash against immigration.

Iraqi Refugee Saved From Deportation At Last Minute-The Daily Star, Lebanon

An Iraqi was detained and led away to be deported, when the Iraqi Embassy, as well as human rights organizations stepped in at the last minute to prevent the deportation from going forward. Lebanese officials had side-stepped the law and illegally detained the man.

Saad Muhammad Ismail, has been in lebanon since 1980, and at the time of his detention had been seeking to be resettled in another country.

From near and far Iraqis voted. Now they wait.

noreply@blogger.com (M. Walleser) — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 05:08:00 +0000

As Iraqis count votes in-country, a considerable number of votes were cast from the outside by ex-pats and refugees. Like the large divergence of Iraq's political spectrum, (Al Jazeera reports that "Around 19 million eligible voters will choose from over 6,000 candidates from 86 political groups looking to gain seats in the 325-member assembly") so too is there a large divergence when it comes to voting and the outlook that these refugees have for the country.

It is apparent that all are interested in the process of these elections. Many are full of hope, seeing this as an opportunity for Iraq to become a strong and proud nation, and that this election will provide them the opportunity to return to their homeland. Yet many are also wary about what the future of Iraq holds. A large number of these refugees feel that they are not in a position to return as they are as of yet unsure that the violence which has dissipated will go away completely or return with a vengeance if certain parties do not get their way. In a land that has been decimated by sectarian violence, and where the votes will undoubtedly reflect sectarian affiliations, many simply are still too afraid to return. For some, going back is not an option due to affiliations with the United States government, as well as a myriad of other reasons. Others cite the low amount of efficient infrastructure and the lack of jobs as being reasons they cannot afford to return.

In Syria, the country in which the largest number of Iraqi refugees reside, some feel that the central government in Baghdad is seeking to marginalize their participation by disputing the population figures among refugees. A recent report by the Christian Science Monitor cites that the Iraqi Government greatly underestimates the number of refugees , and only counts those who have registered for refugee status with the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), well below the purportedly one million or more who reside there.

In Jordan, there are thought to be around 200,000 Iraqis, but precise figures are hard to come by as many Iraqi's are not registered as refugees and/or have no permission to live inside the kingdom. Jordanian authorities supervising the voting process for refugees promised to overlook the fact that many Iraqis are here illegally, and are said to be happy with the results of the process.

This Al Jazeera piece from a few days back, does a great job at highlighting the differing situations and opinions Iraqi refugees held on the eve of elections :

As votes are being counted, there is no doubt that Iraqis of all stripes, from near and far are looking on with great interest at the future of their county. Time will only tell what that future will hold.

News Update

noreply@blogger.com (Ann) — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 18:49:00 +0000

Increase to Refugee Reception and Placement Grant

According to a State Department Press Release, the Reception and Placement Program grants will increase this month to help address the challenges refugees face during their first 30-90 days in the United States. The U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) resettles tens of thousands of refugees each year to safety in the U.S., including over 18,000 Iraqis in 2009. The Reception and Placement Program administered by the State Department’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration includes a one-time per capita grant to recent arrivals, but according to the press release, the grant has declined by more than 50% since its inception in 1980. With the challenges refugees face during their initial months in the U.S. and with the economic downturn and decline in availability of jobs, the State Department increased the Reception and Placement per capita grant effective January 1, 2010. While much of the increase will be used to provide direct services and support (such as housing), there will be some flexibility in how some of the funds are used.

Another positive note: the State Department will continue its review of refugee resettlement led by the White House.

Bombings in Baghdad:

The bombings January 25^th and 26^th have rocked the capital city, with bombers targeting government offices and landmark hotels. The timing of the attacks has encouraged speculation that the bombings are in retaliation to the hanging of “Chemical Ali”, but Gen. Ray Odierno states that he sees “absolutely no connection ” between the attacks and the execution.

Coordinated attacks on the major city since August have left nearly 450 people killed and hundreds wounded. The recent attacks are believed to have been carried-out by Sunni extremists determined to unseat Iraq’s U.S.-backed Shiite-led government, according to the Washington Post. The banning of hundreds of candidates promoting the Baath Party from the March 2010 elections has aggravated sectarian tensions and threatens the security of the country. For additional coverage and more information on the upcoming election please check out The Ground Truth.

The List Project Online:

We are increasing our visibility on facebook and creating our own page. Please stay tuned to learn when our new page will launch—hope to see you online!

We have 150 followers on twitter! Please join us to get news on our work and the latest related headlines: twitter.com/tlpHQ

Please sir, can you help me?

noreply@blogger.com (Jeff) — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 15:02:00 +0000

This was the subject line of an e-mail that showed up on my laptop over Christmas break. Like dozens that had come before it, it described the journey that had brought a hopeful Iraqi translator to the United States in search of safety and a better life for herself. Rachel (not her real name) had been in Austin for only a couple of months, and was feeling quite hopeless, having not found a job or roommate to help pay the rent. She was considering moving to South Dakota, where a friend had gotten a job at a meat packing plant.

I got in touch with my friend Meg, who recently started the Multicultural Refugee Coalition, an organization aimed at helping refugees in the Austin area. We had met at a RefugeeWorks conference earlier in the year. We met with Rachel over lunch, and were able to get in touch with her resettlement agency to see if she qualified for Reception and Placement benefits, which she had not received. We're still waiting on the final word on that issue, but we were successfully convince Rachel to stay in Austin at least a little while longer.

When I started volunteering for the List Project just over a year ago, I didn't know anything about the U.S. resettlement system. I didn't know about the complex relationships between government departments, overseas processing entities, and voluntary resettlement agencies. I definitely didn't know about sponsors, free cases, cash assistance programs, SIV benefits, or pending legislation. I am much more knowledgeable about these things now than I was a year ago. Even today, however, there is still so much I don't know. My understanding of the system is still very incomplete, and it bothers me.

What surprises me the most, though, is that it doesn't seem to bother most of the Iraqis that I work with. For them, its the simple gestures that matter the most. An e-mail. A phone call. A visit. Spending 30 minutes looking over a resume. These simple acts can mean the world to someone who is on the brink of despair. And anybody can do them!

While every person and story is different, they all share the common themes of courage, uncertainty, and hope. Obviously, many of our cases require long hours of research and follow-up to resolve more complex issues, and there is a network of experts helping out behind the scenes both inside and outside of The List Project. But it doesn't take a degree in social work to take that first step and reach out. It just takes someone willing to do it.

If you would like to volunteer as a caseworker for the List Project, please send an e-mail to volunteers@thelistproject.org.

Congress Offers SIVs Same Benefits Available to Refugees

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Free) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 14:08:00 +0000

Before dawn this morning, the U.S. Senate convened in a snowstorm and passed by a vote of 88-10 a bill authorizing money for next year's defense spending.

When the President signs this year's Defense Appropriations bill into law, thousands of Iraqi SIVs will have cause to celebrate. That's because the bill eliminates the disparity between federal public benefits available to SIVs and those available refugees.

Until now, SIVs have been eligible for roughly the same assistance as refugees during their first 6-8 months in the United States. Under current law, however, most SIVs become ineligible for federal public benefits at the end of their eighth month in the United States. This ineligibility continues for five years. By contrast, refugees, asylees, immigrants who are spared deportation under the Convention Against Torture, and Cuban or Haitian entrants are not subject to the so-called "five-year bar."

This morning's bill eliminates the 5-year bar for our Iraqi and Afghan SIV allies. Specifically, it makes Iraqi and Afghan SIVs eligible for federal public benefits "to the same extent, and for the same periods of time, as refugees." (.pdf p.119)

Special thanks are in order to Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA), who apparently got this change added on July 30, 2009, (see "Congress Expands..."), and to all other elected officials, staff, and advocates who helped make this vital change a reality.

Black Friday...where "war" is a good thing!

noreply@blogger.com (Sky) — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 22:29:00 +0000

I don't like to shop and Black Friday traditionally does not appeal to me, but this article in the New York Times caught my eye,

"Price War Brews Between Amazon and WalMart"

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/24/business/24shop.html

This means that regardless of whether you are the kind of person that likes to shop online or whether you prefer to join the masses in person on Black Friday, you can get great deals ----so please consider picking up a gift for a recently resettled Iraqi child. We have over 112 kids on our List, ranging in age from 2 months - 17 years of age. Help us bring hope to these kids this holiday season. Remember, for our online shoppers, we have a Wish List at Amazon.com:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/R4TGW49926L3

And speaking of hope, The List Kids' "Winter Hope" campaign has just kicked off. Despite the state of the economy, we are hoping people will remember how blessed they are and feel the desire to share what they have (even if it is less than last year!) with others who are struggling. One easy way is to give online through the Winter Holiday Appeal ---the best part is that your donation will be matched up to 50%! Definitely more bang for your giving-bucks!

https://app.e2ma.net/app/view:CampaignPublic/id:35652.6546606712/rid:d77b4b3d1c19bcd650cb8d75641c16bd

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

From The List Kids Team

In the News

noreply@blogger.com (Ann) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:08:00 +0000

Assistant Secretary of State for PRM Eric Schwartz traveling to Iraq, Jordan and Syria:
Eric Schwartz, the Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration will travel to Iraq, Jordan and Syria from November 13 to November 19, according to a Department of State press release. Mr. Schwartz will meet with government officials, officials from the UN, international organizations and Iraqi and Palestinian refugees who have benefited from U.S. government-funded programs in the region.

'Denial and Delay' a HRF Report: Refugee Applications Denied Due To Strict Nature of U.S. Anti-terrorism Laws:
According to a Washington Post article, U.S. Anti-terrorism laws are applied so strictly that thousands of refugees fleeing persecution are having their applications denied or indefinitely delayed. Human Rights First released a study this week documenting cases where people have been labeled terrorists and denied entry to the U.S. Human Rights First profiled the cases of several refugees, including Iraqis who had served as interpreters for the U.S. Military. The report concluded that nearly 20,000 asylum-seekers and refugees have been affected since 2001.

World Food Programme Pilots Food Distribution by Text:
WFP in Syria piloted a new project this month, sending food vouchers by text to over 1000 Iraqi families (3,500 beneficiaries), according to IRIN . Each family receives vouchers worth $22 (U.S.) per person and vouchers are sent every two months. While each family still receives 50 percent of their rations through the traditional handout program, WFP believes that if this program is successful it could replace the usual program. To find out more about how these vouchers work, please click here

The List Project Founder, Holland & Knight Senior Pro Bono Counsel Visit The List Project at Vanderbilt

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Gore) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 20:04:00 +0000

October 27, 2009

Last week, Vanderbilt University Law School (VULS) students provided Kirk Johnson, the founder of The List Project (TLP), and Chris Nugent, Senior Counsel with the Community Services Team at Holland & Knight LLP, with several busy days of policy briefings, leadership discussions, and family visits in the Nashville area.

When Johnson and Nugent arrived at the airport on Thursday night, they were greeted by one of the first Iraqis resettled to Nashville by TLP. Their visit to Vanderbilt began in earnest on Friday morning, with a small meeting of TLP at Vanderbilt’s Steering Committee. Students shared their efforts to help resettled Iraqis obtain meaningful employment, safe housing, medical care, and English language classes; provided updates on the legal and policy research they have been performing; and offered ideas for furthering the objectives of The List Project both in Nashville and nationwide.

TLP leadership then met privately with Professor Mike Newton, formerly a senior advisor to the U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for War Crimes Issues at the U.S. Department of State. Drawing on his extensive on-the-ground experience in Iraq as a legal advisor to the Iraqi High Tribunal, Newton offered strategic insights into TLP’s policy work. He also helped cement the unique collaboration between TLP and VULS by securing a number of future legal internships for Vanderbilt law students.

The day continued with a thought-provoking talk by Johnson, Nugent, and an Iraqi refugee living in Nashville. Approximately 60 people attended the discussion, including local community leaders, several Iraqi families, and many interested, committed law students and undergraduates. Johnson stressed the urgency of resettling threatened Iraqis who aided the American government in Iraq. He also highlighted the need to hold the U.S. government accountable—and keep it informed—as the drawdown of U.S. troops from Iraq continues. Nugent, who manages Holland & Knight’s team of attorneys assisting TLP, discussed some of the challenges of the legal process for Iraqis on The List, who include translators, engineers, and other highly qualified professionals. Several Iraqis asked questions about their lives in the United States and how to continue moving forward in this country.

After sharing hummus and kabobs at lunch, members of TLP travelled with Johnson and Nugent to meet with individual Iraqi families, hear their stories, and share insights, thoughts, and hope with them. Over several cups of chai tea, each family explained their fears about their time in Iraq, their struggles after coming to the United States, and their joy at meeting members of TLP. Johnson listened closely and encouraged these Iraqis to keep moving forward despite the hard economic times many of them face. The day ended about 8:00 p.m. that evening with a hearty Iraqi dinner. Early the next morning, Nugent and Andrew Free, the head of TLP at Vanderbilt, ventured out to nearby Smyrna, Tennessee, to meet 16 more Iraqi members of the local TLP community.

Special thanks are in order to Samara Spence, Rachel Gore, Rachel Weisshaar, Shannon Fyfe, John Spragens, and all TLP@VU members for making this visit a success. All told, TLP@VU donated over $1,000 to make this trip a reality. It has already begun paying dividends.

TLP@VU aims to aid Iraqi refugees in Nashville during their transition to U.S. society. Vanderbilt law students involved with TLP include Arabic-speaking veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom, students who have worked in the past with refugee groups, and others who are inspired and committed to helping Iraqi families. If you are interested in joining the Vanderbilt chapter and helping resettled Iraqis in Nashville, we encourage you to join Netroots, our online community, and contact Andrew Free to learn more about local opportunities.

Evaluating the Iraqi Resettlement Experience

noreply@blogger.com (Ann) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:23:00 +0000

Georgetown Law's Human Rights Action, in partnership with the Human Rights Institute at Georgetown Law, released a report: Refugee Crisis in America; Iraqis and Their Resettlement Experience earlier this month. The report examines the challenges of resettling to the United States, as well as evaluates the effectiveness of the U.S. resettlement system. Over nine months, students interviewed refugees and representatives from UNHCR, IOM, NGOs, and the U.S. Government in Washington, DC, Detroit, MI, San Diego, CA and Amman, Jordan. The report finds that while the United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) is unique and accepts more refugees than the rest of the world combined, it is in dire need of more funding and programs need to be designed to promote long-term self-sufficiency and integration. Please read the report to see more findings and recommendations.

Intersections International: Iraqi Voices Amplification Project

noreply@blogger.com (Ann) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:50:00 +0000

Intersections International (an organization based in New York City that works to build relationships and promote justice, reconciliation and peace) is traveling in Jordan, Syria and Lebanon with a group of artists to give a voice to Iraqi refugees in the region. The group of eight (including two Intersections staff members, a videographer, a media expert, a dancer and a singer) will be traveling in the Middle East through October 17th and will create a multi-media presentation upon their return. Intersections has created a blog to document their findings and share their experiences. With thoughtful posts and interesting video clips posted daily, the reader is able to learn about the consequences of conflict and displacement. Please visit the blog to follow the group on their journey and be sure to stay tuned for more information on their upcoming presentation!

Gay Iraqis face Torture and Death

noreply@blogger.com (M. Walleser) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 23:28:00 +0000

A new feature article entitled "The Hunted" by Matt McAllister is now in New York Magazine, and details the grave threats posed towards gay Iraqis, as well as the pogroms that are increasingly being carried out against them there.

With all the catastrophe that has embroiled Iraq in the over 6 years that United States forces invaded Iraq, one of the issues that has been overshadowed most by sectarian strife and the myriad forms of other violence there has been the treatment of gays. They cannot advocate for equal rights or openly show pride in who they are as those in Tel Aviv, New York, or San Francisco can. They are the lost minority, devoid of ethnic and religious ties and therefore lacking political influence and the protections that come with political allegiances.

As McAllister points out "there are no votes to be gained or power to be accrued in any Iraqi community, Shia, Sunni, Kurds, Christians, Turkmen by supporting gay people. Gays in Iraq today are essentially a defenseless target."

Although this is not a new threat it has been raised to a higher profile as a result of the exit of U.S. forces from Iraqi cities. Many Iraqi militias, most notably the Mahdi Army, which is affiliated with the fiery Shia cleric Moqtada Al-Sadr, have began conducting Taliban-like moral campaigns to rid Iraq of so called deviants. This, as a recent Human Rights Watch report states, includes the targeting of "men seen as effeminate" or suspected of homosexual conduct."

Horrible atrocities have been committed by these groups, the most notable of which, and gruesome beyond comprehension, first noted in Iraqi media, and later confirmed by Human Rights Watch, is the of the act of gluing shut the anuses of alleged homosexuals, and then forcing them to drink laxatives, causing their insides to burst because of diarrhea, poisoning them to death.

Those seeking refuge have little options for relief as conservative Arab society prevents them from finding safe refuge in nearby Arab states. Of those that apply for refugee status, the wait is long and means they must remain in harms way while their requests are processed. The lucky ones profiled in McAllister's article, if they can be deemed lucky, as they have lost their livelihoods and numerous friends, were saved by the goodwill of common citizens such as HRW's Scott Long, who helped to set up safe houses and help these Iraqis establish a new beginning overseas. Like all refugees, these Iraqis are grateful for the help that in many cases saved their lives. Yet they also realize that they may never be able to return to their homes and their previous lives, and they agonize over friends and family whose deaths may be lurking around the next corner.

Click Here to read the full article: The Hunted @ nymag.com

Click Here to Read the HRW report : "They Want us Exterminated"

To donate and help with efforts in resettling Iraqis of LGBT orientation: Iraqi LGBT

"Aftermath": Lives Interrupted

noreply@blogger.com (Ann) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 13:45:00 +0000

Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen, the award-winning creators of The Exonerated, traveled to the Middle East in June 2008 to interview 37 Iraqi refugees who fled their country for relative safety in Jordan. Following their visit, Ms. Blank and Mr. Jensen turned their conversations into a 90-minute documentary drama called "Aftermath". The play, showing through October 18 at the New York Theater Workshop, follows the lives of nine Iraqis since the U.S. invasion in 2003. As noted in a review by the New York Times, "Aftermath" is shaped to make you feel as if you are the interviewer with the Iraqis always offering tea or coffee and answering unasked questions. An interpreter, Shahid, is always present, showing how those who know English are indispensable to the foreigners in their country and he provides translation and context for the Iraqis throughout the play. Following the lives of a doctor, an imam, an artist, a pharmacist and others, you find yourself unable to look away throughout the 90-minute production and leave wondering how many other devastating stories are left untold. Directed by Ms. Blank, "Aftermath" is an incredible representation of how violence, chaos and displacement have changed the lives of millions of Iraqis.

Click here to watch a trailer of the play.

UNHCR's Nansen Award goes to Senator Kennedy

noreply@blogger.com (Ann) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:35:00 +0000

UNHCR announced that the late Senator Kennedy has been awarded the annual Nansen Refugee Award for his accomplishments as a defender of refugee assistance and protection for nearly half a century. Senator Kennedy sponsored more than 70 refugee related measures and was instrumental in helping millions of persecuted people. The late Senator led a congressional effort to help U.S.-affiliated Iraqis, eventually resulting in the Refugee Crisis in Iraq Act being passed in January 2008. The List Project worked with Senator Kennedy and his staff in seeking government action to resettle U.S-affiliated Iraqis and is delighted to see that the Senator's work on behalf of vulnerable populations has been awarded by UNHCR.

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres said: "Senator Kennedy stood out as a forceful advocate for those who suddenly found themselves with no voice and no rights. Year after year, conflict after conflict, he put the plight of refugees on the agenda and drove through policies that saved and shaped countless lives."

In the News

noreply@blogger.com (Ann) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 15:30:00 +0000

Obama Administration Announces Coordinators for Iraqi Refugees:
The Obama Administration announced the appointment of two senior government officials to coordinate Iraqi refugee efforts on August 14th. Samantha Power, Senior Director for Multilateral Affairs and Human Rights at the National Security Council will coordinate efforts of the U.S. government on Iraqi refugees and internally displaced persons. Mark Storella, a Senior Foreign Service officer, will be the Senior Coordinator for Iraqi refugees and displaced persons in Baghdad.

The List Project welcomes the appointments of Ms. Power and Mr. Storella. In the action plan 'Operation Safe Haven Iraq 2009', released in January 2009, the List Project joined the Center for American Progress in calling for the appointment of a White House Coordinator as the first step in developing a policy to address the needs of Iraqi refugees.

Escalating Violence in Iraq:
Violence has escalated in the weeks since the U.S. military withdrew from major cities in Iraq, causing concern worldwide. In and around the cities of Baghdad and Mosul, hundreds have been killed and thousands wounded in the months of July and August. Perhaps the worst attack yet occurred this week with massive bombings around Baghdad, the two deadliest bombs targeted the finance and foreign ministry buildings. With over 500 wounded and at least 95 dead, according to the New York Times, these attacks exposed vulnerability. U.S. officials claim that there is little that they can do, according to the Washington Post, besides call on Prime Minister al-Maliki to increase security.

The List Project's trip to Iraq last week confirmed the consequences of the U.S military drawdown, our Iraqi allies' fears are being realized and they now feel that their protectors are leaving without them. Please read more about the trip next week in our August E-brief.

Successful Kickoff Event for TLP Boston

noreply@blogger.com (Jeff) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 07:09:00 +0000

This past Sunday, the Boston chapter of The List Project had a kickoff event for Americans and Iraqis at the home of Benjamin Dunay, a new volunteer for TLP.

The meeting started very informally with people mingling and getting to know each other. Almost everybody brought food, with volunteers taking extra care to make sure that the food was within Halal dietary guidelines.

As people started brainstorming ways to help newly arrived Iraqis, a few key topics started to emerge. "Without a doubt, the biggest obstacle we need to help the Iraqis overcome (once they're in an apartment and otherwise settled) is finding employment." To that end, some volunteers, including one who speaks both Arabic and English, are being mobilized to help Iraqis practice and learn English as a supplement to the ESL instruction that is usually offered through the resettlement agencies.

In addition to helping Iraqis improve their English skills, Liz Siegel and Ben Dunay are planning to start a campus TLP chapter at their school - New England Law | Boston. This will be a sub-chapter that operates as a part of TLP Boston, assisting with advocacy and research.

Perhaps more important than the programs that are being set up are the friendships that are being formed between Iraqis and Americans in Boston. It's the one thing that resettlement agencies aren't contracted to provide, even though it is one of the deepest needs experienced by new arrivals.

We would like to thank all of our Iraqi families and volunteers in Boston, especially Ben, Erik, Dina, Liz, Rosemary, April, Beckie, and Anthony.

The Boston chapter is off to a great start, and we look forward to following up with them to give an update on how things are going. If you're interested in joining the Boston Chapter, you should join Netroots our online community.

Note: The Boston Globe recently published a couple of articles that involved The List Project. The first one is a profile piece on Kirk Johnson, our founder. The second one is an article about Ihsan Yaqoob, a TLP resettled Iraqi living in the Boston area.

Why Are You Helping Iraqis?

noreply@blogger.com (Jeff) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 23:24:00 +0000

Our volunteers in Texas and I are often asked why we want to help recently resettled Iraqis. Sometimes it's an Iraqi who asks, but more often than not it's an American. It's a simple, but complicated question.

Anti-immigration sentiment here in Texas is at an all-time high. A recent poll of Houston by Rice University showed that the overall angst directed at immigration has risen by 50% between 2004 and 2008, mostly due to the economy. The anti-Arab sentiment has also increased significantly nationwide since 9/11.

I sometimes get the sense that the person asking the question wants me to say that I'm helping Iraqis resettle because I was for or against the war. Maybe if I reveal that, they can quickly categorize me as pro-war or anti-war, and from that conclusion decide whether or not they are going to be supportive.

Many of the Iraqis who worked with the U.S. government have paid a terrible price for their belief that the United States could offer their country something better. One of my Iraqi friends in the Dallas area received a note with a warning and a single bullet at his home shortly before coming to the United States last year. Another one of my Iraqi friends in Houston has a brother in Iraq whose 12 year old son was recently killed for no other reason than the fact that his uncle was a "collaborator" who worked with U.S. forces. Unfortunately, their stories are not unique, nor are they the most tragic to come out of Iraq.

This is an issue that should transcend politics. This isn't about being for or against the war. It's about helping those whose work for the United States has forced them to leave their homes. These Iraqis aren't coming here for American jobs (which they're having a very difficult time getting). They're not coming for refugee benefits. They're not coming for better schools. They're coming here to survive.

After all they've sacrificed for us, what could be more American than helping them?

Click here for a recent Newsweek article on five Iraqis whose decision to work with U.S.-affiliated organizations in Baghdad ultimately drove them from their homes and landed them in America.

Celebrating Your Independence

noreply@blogger.com (Ann) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:01:00 +0000

As you celebrate Independence Day this weekend, take a moment to remember those Iraqis still in the region waiting to be resettled to the U.S. With the recent withdrawal of U.S. combat forces from Iraq’s cities, many Iraqis face the threat of renewed violence.

Please help the List Project raise awareness of the plight of our Iraqi allies this July 4th. Learn more about the crisis and about how you can help.

RefugeeWorks National Recertification Conference

noreply@blogger.com (Ann) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 15:33:00 +0000

The List Project attended and presented at the RefugeeWorks National Conference on Refugee Professional Recertification in Lansing, Michigan last week. The National Conference focused on the issues related to professional retraining, job seeking and recertification for refugees in the U.S. Refugee resettlement personnel, educators, refugees, employment specialists and others worked together to come up with solutions to the challenges of recertification. The List Project's presentations focused not only on the issues that our Iraqi allies are facing here in the U.S., but also on the importance of partnerships for small organizations and on the benefits of new technology. Netroots was showcased throughout the two-day conference to demonstrate the power of online social networking. The conclusions and presentations of participating organizations will be published shortly on the RefugeeWorks website.

Advocacy in Austin

noreply@blogger.com (Jeff) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 18:06:00 +0000

June 20th, was World Refugee Day. Many cities around the country held special events in order to bring increased awareness to the plight of refugees around the world. A World Refugee Day celebration was held in Austin, Texas that was organized by the local resettlement agencies and other organizations in Austin that work with refugees.

The List Project was fortunate enough to secure a table at this event, so I came with a stack of List Project fliers, the recently published IRC report, a handful of business cards, and my laptop. I was joined by Austin resident Esther Diaz, who is a trainer for translators and interpreters that provide services to resettlement agencies. She is also a new volunteer for the List Project.

While I’ve participated in several meetings with both Iraqis and Americans who were already aware of the List Project, this was the first forum where I’ve really gotten the chance to explain the organization to Americans who had never heard of The List Project before.

I also met some Iraqis who have recently resettled in the Austin area. In contrast with the Americans I met, many of the Iraqis had actually heard of the List Project, and were very excited to meet us. Like most resettled Iraqis around the country, they are struggling to make ends meet in the current economy.

With all of the challenges our Iraqi friends are facing, it's easy to get discouraged. The needs of the community are so great, and we're trying to meet them with limited resources. After this event, however, I feel a renewed hope that many Americans can and will help out. They just need to know what's happening. They need to be reminded that life in Iraq is not "back to normal". They need someone to give a voice to the challenges that Iraqis are facing here in the United States.

Will you be that voice?

*Jeff Brown is head of the Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter and the Outreach and Web Development Intern for the List Project

World Refugee Day is Saturday

noreply@blogger.com (Jeff) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 04:50:00 +0000

This coming Saturday, June 20th, is World Refugee Day.

Organizations in many cities will be hosting events for World Refugee Day, and these events could be a great opportunity to talk to people about The List Project. I will personally be attending an event in Austin with one of our new volunteers and hopefully some TLP Iraqis from both Austin and San Antonio.

While there is no centralized location for all of the World Refugee Day events in the United States, a good place to start asking questions would be with your local resettlement agency. Many of the resettlement agencies either coordinate or sponsor some type of annual event. The IRC currently had events scheduled in Baltimore, Boise, Charlottesville, Phoenix, San Diego, San Jose, Washington DC and Tucson.

For a directory of resettlement agencies, please click here. Also, don't forget that you can go to Netroots and download List Project handouts under the "Toolkit" tab. I always like to carry a few in my vehicle, because I never know when I might get an opportunity to share the TLP story with somebody!

IRC Report on Iraqi Refugees in the U.S.

noreply@blogger.com (Ann) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:59:00 +0000

The International Rescue Committee released "Iraqi Refugees in the United States: In Dire Straits" yesterday; a follow-up on the IRC Commission's report in March 2008, "Five Years Later, A Hidden Crisis", which evaluates how resettled Iraqis are adjusting to their new lives in America.

The IRC stated that the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program is "outdated and under-funded". The IRC Commission delegations traveled to Atlanta and Phoenix and found that while many Iraqi refugees expressed "deep gratitude for their safety and freedom in the U.S.," they were anxious about their future and many have been unable to find work.

The report concluded that the U.S. resettlement program is "dangerously" underfunded and that the current economic climate has highlighted the faults in the system. The U.S. goverment and Congress should take immediate action, according to the IRC Commission, by providing urgent supplemental funding for the Office of Refugee Resettlement and the State Department's Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration to address needs like emergency rent payments and flexibility in repayments of loans to refugees and travel expenses. Please read the IRC's report in full to learn more.

While the economic downturn has made job seeking difficult for Americans and Iraqis alike, many of the recently resettled Iraqis from our List have found meaningful, long-term employment. The List Project works with Upwardly Global to help Iraqis in the San Francisco Bay Area, Chicago and New York City find work. Please join us on Netroots to help our Iraqi allies settle into life in the U.S.

TLP and TLK: Raising Money For Our EMERGENCY SUPPORT FUND

noreply@blogger.com (Ann) — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 15:17:00 +0000

The List Project is building an "Emergency Support Fund" on GLOBALGIVING! GlobalGiving is an online marketplace that connects donors and causes around the world. Through GlobalGiving, TLP will raise funds that will be used to help individual Iraqi families here in the U.S.

In partnering with GlobalGiving, we are furthering our philosophy of one-on-one assistance. By raising funds for our "Emergency Support Fund", we are building on our groundbreaking pro bono project where hundreds of lawyers have given direct assistance to thousands of our Iraqi allies. Our Fund will help recent Iraqi arrivals get a start in their new lives here in the U.S.

"IF I LOOK AT THE MASS I WILL NEVER ACT.

IF I LOOK AT THE ONE, I WILL" -MOTHER TERESA

We are working with The List Kids to raise at least $4,000 from 50 different donors by June 30,2009. Once we have hit this mark, we will be given a permanent spot on GlobalGiving to spread the word and raise money for our Iraqi allies! By donating on GlobalGiving, you can provide Iraqi children with basic school supplies, donate groceries and immediate supplies to recent arrivals, help repay Iraqis for their visa fees, and more!

Please join us today and donate on GlobalGiving.