Only 133 Iraqi refugees allowed in US so far this year

[Barrett808]

Source: AFP

WASHINGTON (AFP) - Only 133 Iraqi refugees have been allowed into the United States since October, well short of the 7,000 the US has vowed to welcome in this fiscal year, a State Department spokesman said Monday.

"I think we're up around 133 thus far that have entered the United States," since October 1, the start of fiscal 2007, Sean McCormack told a press briefing.

"We have more work to do," he added after recalling that at the beginning of the year US authorities vowed to take in at least 7,000 Iraqi refugees by the end of fiscal 2007, and even more in fiscal 2008.

He attributed the slow pace to rigorous security measures: "They have to go through and have to do a vetting procedure, which everybody understands the need to do.

"While we want to meet our humanitarian obligations here, we also want to make sure we do so in such a way that our borders and the American people are protected," he said. "We're working very closely with the Department of Homeland Security on this."

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070709/wl_mideast_afp/usiraqrefugees

[maxsolomon]

1. makes sense: they might be harboring a grudge

or 2 million.

eventually, they'll be here. but not till * is gone to paraguay.

[superconnected]

2. Heaven forbid they come here and tell the truth

Their stories might get published.

[ohio2007]

3. How many of those 133 are doctors ......

[Middle finga]

4. So we don't even give refuge to the Iraqis

that sided with us and assisted us in destroying their country who are now considered traitors by their fellow citizens? Damn we are a cold blooded nation.