US admits only 57 Iraqi refugees in July

[Barrett808]

Source: Associated Press

US admits only 57 Iraqi refugees in July
By MATTHEW LEE, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - The U.S. has taken in 190 Iraqi refugees since last year, according to a government document that shows the monthly numbers falling despite pledges to accept thousands by October.

The Bush administration admitted just 57 refugees in July, six fewer than in June. The U.S. has insisted it would take at least 2,000 in the current budget year, which runs from last October to Sept. 30.

With 190 admitted over the past 10 months, that leaves just two months for the administration to meet the current target, already scaled backed from an initial promise of 7,000.

...

An estimated 50,000 Iraqis are fleeing their war-ravaged country per month, contributing to the fastest growing refugee population in the world, now put at between 2 million and 2.5 million, according to refugee advocacy groups.

These organizations are infuriated at what they contend is the administration's slow pace in processing the refugees.

"They continue to drag their heels and ensure that very few Iraqis are getting our help," said Sean Garcia of Refugees International in Washington. He cited the State and Homeland Security departments, which are responsible for screening would-be refugees and arranging their transportation to and housing on U.S. soil. "We're very, very disappointed at the way they are handling this," Garcia said.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070801/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_iraq_refugees

[Olney Blue]

1. They can't fight them over there, if they are here.

[David__77]

2. US is morally obliged to economically sustain the Iraqi nation.

If that means taking many in, then that's what it means. The US broke it, now it has to pay up.