Iraq Refugees Find No Refuge In America

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http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/05/26/1475/

Iraq Refugees Find No Refuge In America
by Ann McFeatters

WASHINGTON — Just about every American serving or working in Iraq knows Iraqis who have been loyal to the United States, have risked their lives for Americans and are in serious danger of being killed if they stay in Iraq.Thousands of Iraqis have fled their country, trying to escape the escalating civil war between Sunnis and Shiites. Many of them have lost close relatives and have been threatened with rape, torture or death if they continue to work with Americans.

U.S. journalists are finding it increasingly difficult to interview Iraqis, terrified they will be targeted by death squads for even talking to Americans. Journalists must depend on Iraqi citizens to translate and to arrange interviews in hotel rooms or in secret locations. If found out, the translators and facilitators face torture or death. Yet, still they have continued to help, sometimes because of the money, but just as frequently because they are grateful to the United States.

Many of the Iraqis who welcomed U.S. soldiers after the overthrow of Saddam Hussein live in hiding because they can’t support themselves and can’t get out of the country. Many are terrified of being betrayed by neighbors. If they have Sunni names, they are frightened of Shiites. If they have Shiite names, they are afraid of Sunnis.

Last month, the United States admitted one immigrant from Iraq.

As Congress ties itself up in knots wrangling with the Bush administration over what to do with 12 million illegal immigrants already in the United States, it is an absolute scandal that in the past seven months only 69 people from Iraq have been granted refuge in America.

Last year, a cable from the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad was leaked to a reporter, revealing the U.S. has no contingency plans to help Iraqis if there is a withdrawal. Apparently, we learned little from the evacuation of Saigon. Even Iraqis who have been physically threatened for helping top U.S. government officials or translating for the military are not being given visas.

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