As Iraq debate rages, senators ponder refugees | Senator Kennedy: "WE CAN'T IGNORE IRAQ'S REFUGEES"

[Sapphire Blue]

As Iraq debate rages, senators ponder refugees
Kennedy-Smith bill sees moral obligation to Iraqis who've worked for U.S.
By Tom Curry
National affairs writer
MSNBC
Updated: 5:09 a.m. PT July 12, 2007

WASHINGTON - As the congressional debate over the future American role in Iraq intensifies, members of Congress are increasingly considering what might happen as the number of U.S. troops is reduced.

Among the unanswered questions: how many Iraqis should be allowed to enter the United States as refugees?

Legislation introduced three weeks ago by Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., and Sen. Gordon Smith, R-Oregon would create a special immigrant visa for Iraqis who have worked for U.S. diplomats or military forces in Iraq.

Under this part of the Kennedy-Smith bill, up to 25,000 Iraqis over the next five years could come to the United States.

In addition the bill would designate as priority refugees Iraqis who worked for the U.S. government, or worked for American news media companies or non-governmental agencies. They’d be eligible to come to the United States as part of the 70,000 refugees admitted each year.


Continued @ http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19709823/

Please also see this related thread posted several months ago:

Senator Kennedy: "WE CAN'T IGNORE IRAQ'S REFUGEES" | UNHCR appeal for $60 million for Iraqi refugees: http://journals.democraticunderground.com/Sapphire%20Blue/137

[babylonsister]

1. FINALLY! We are in the process of helping to destroy their country

and citizens; the least we could do is acknowledge that.

[Sapphire Blue]

2. ..

:kick:

[Robbien]

3. We have been ignoring Iraqi refugees

for years.

Syria went to the UN over a year ago saying enough. They were full up. The International community has to help.

And the refuges just keep pouring in while the world's politicians decide if they are going to even acknowledge the situation.

[TahitiNut]

4. Jordan, with even fewer domestic resources, has carried an even heavier burden.

Syria and Jordan are both overrun ... and that doesn't even address the internally displaced Iraqi people which is another million or so.

Gawd! What an abomination we've wrought! :grr:

[Swamp Rat]

5. Bring them here and let them live in Crawford and Kennebunkport.

We should seize all the assets of the Bushlers and Cheneys, and most of the repukes in Congress, as well as large corporations (media, pharma, and military) to pay for the reconstruction of Iraq.

[SammyWinstonJack]

6. You forgot Paraguay!

:thumbsup:

[Swamp Rat]

7. Shhh!!!