In a press release from the US State Department today we learned that we have dramatically increased aid payments to the United Nations and other “humanitarian” groups to help Iraqi displaced persons.
The U.S. Government has increased humanitarian assistance for displaced Iraqis from $43 million in 2006 to almost $200 million in the first half of 2008.
But, way at the bottom of the press release, the State Department tells us the number of interpreters that have been admitted to the US so far and how many are in the pipeline. As the situation on the ground improves in Iraq, I don’t get why this many interpreters are so fearful. Wouldn’t you think they would want to stay and help rebuild Iraq? I’ll wager that somewhere down the line we find out that some of those fluent in English have nefarious motives for wanting to be in the US, just as those Judy reported on in Denmark not that long ago.
In FY 2007, 988 special immigrant visas were issued through the special admissions program for Iraqi translators and interpreters who assisted the United States. This number includes 526 principal applicants and 462 family members.
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So far in FY 2008, through January 31, 2008, 507 special immigrant visas were issued through the special admissions program for Iraqi translators and interpreters who assisted the United States. This number includes 247 principal applicants and 260 family members.
The last lines in the press release refer to the Kennedy bill which recently became law.
New legislation will permit up to 5,000 Iraqi principal applicants working under Chief of Mission authority who are in immediate danger, to apply for special immigrant visas. Procedures for processing those applications are currently in interagency development.