Asylum Program Falls Short For Iraqis Aiding U.S. Forces

[flashl]

Thousands of Iraqi translators have assisted U.S. forces since the invasion of Iraq in 2003, risking their lives and leaving their families vulnerable to retaliation from insurgents who see them as accomplices of American troops.

More than 250 of the interpreters working with the United States -- or with U.S. contractors -- have been killed. But the U.S. asylum program for translators seeking to leave the country has fallen far short of demand and, at times, short of what other coalition countries have offered their Iraqi staff.

This month, Denmark will complete the process of granting asylum to 120 Iraqi interpreters who worked for Danish troops in Iraq, as well as their families. "Interpreters who had been working for the Danish military were given the choice of resettling within with financial help, of being given jobs at Danish mission in the region, or of going to Denmark to apply for asylum with their families," said Thomas Bille Winkel, representative of the Danish Ministry of Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs. Most chose to go to Denmark, he said.

Denmark's rapid handling of its Iraqi employees and their families -- 364 people -- contrasts with the fate of thousands of Iraqis who have worked, or are working, for the U.S. government or its contractors in Iraq and who also wish to leave the country.

Initially, the U.S. asylum initiative covered only 50 individuals a year beginning in 2006, rising to 500 annually for 2007 and 2008, and scheduled to drop back to 50 next year.

Washington Post

They hate us because?

[JohnyCanuck]

1. I guess the US considers its Iraqi helpers as expendable. n/t

[KharmaTrain]

2. We Don't Want No Steenkin' Immigrints....

Ya let "these people" in and before ya know it they want free medical, schooling and will be taking your jobs. Now if they weren't brown-skinned, that's another story.

It's like this regime figures that if they ignore the refugee problem they've created in Iraq it will go away. Resettling these people costs $$$ and they haven't figured a way yet to outsource immigration (I'm sure someone's already worked it out with the profit margin included). Also opening the doors here is another sign of defeat by this regime...their adventure in "nation building" gone awry and on the streets of America. Their base won't tolerate this. Thus let 'em rot in the desert....

[flashl]

3. Heck, they got that empty gazillion dollar embassy that can be used. nt