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'Brave Iraqis' to get US visas
24/07/2008 23:38 - (SA)
Tim Cocks
Baghdad - Thousands of Iraqis who fear
being killed because they worked for the American government or
military in Iraq will be awarded visas allowing them to settle
permanently in the United States, the US embassy said.
The embassy said on Thursday a new visa scheme would allow
5 000 Iraqis in each year during a five-year period starting
last month.
"With the launch of this special immigrant programme, we
take a significant step toward ... providing safe haven to those
brave Iraqi citizens who risked their lives in order to serve
the United States," Ambassador Ryan Crocker said in a statement.
The US government and military has employed thousands of
Iraqis since the 2003 invasion and many have been killed or
faced the threat of death from insurgents who view them as
collaborators.
The US government has been criticised for not doing enough
to protect them.
Richard Albright, the US embassy's senior coordinator for
refugee issues, said Iraqis who worked for the United States
longer than three months since March 20, 2003, may be eligible.
"Applicants must show they ... have experienced an ongoing
serious threat as a result of that employment," Albright said.
He added: "The recipients receive permanent residence in the
United States; they can stay for the rest of their lives."
Like other refugees to the United States, the immigrants can
apply for refugee status for their families, including spouses,
siblings, children, parents and grandchildren, Albright said.
They also get help with accommodation, transport and healthcare.
- Reuters
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