Give Iraqi translators a way out

Cut Through the Red Tape for Iraqi Translators

Thousands of committed Iraqis have spent the last several years as translators, guides, and friends to the United States. They performed an invaluable service and assumed just about every risk that our troops did.

Now they are being left behind, their lives more endangered than ever.

Even though a law has been passed to help Iraqi translators, bureaucratic foot-dragging is holding up the process. Progress must happen on the ground in Iraq, not just in conversations in Washington. Send a message to Secretary of State Rice and Secretary of Homeland Security Chertoff today!

Subject:

Dear [ Decision Maker ],

(Edit Letter Below)

American troops serving in Iraq have been helped immeasurably over the last five years by thousands of Iraqi translators, engineers, political assistants, and others who have supported the U.S. effort. These brave men and women, and their families, have assumed great risks - and frequently live in fear for their safety - because they chose to associate themselves with the United States in Iraq. 
 
We have a moral responsibility to protect these Iraqi men and women whose lives are at risk because they helped us when we needed them. For many, seeking asylum outside their country is the only safe option.

In January, Congress and President Bush approved a bipartisan measure that was supposed to allow more of these Iraqi translators and their colleagues to access special immigrant visas and referrals for refugee resettlement in the U.S. More than 4 months have now passed since the bipartisan "Refugee Crisis in Iraq Act" was signed into law. But - though small steps have been taken - your Departments still have not provided the clear guidance necessary to implement the law and make good on our promise to these translators - in-country processing, protection and removal from Iraq for those who are in grave and immediate danger, and 5,000 special immigrant visas every year for Iraqi translators and others who helped the U.S. Progress must happen on the ground in Iraq, not just in conversations in Washington.

Congress recently clarified further in new legislation its intent that these visas be made available immediately, in fiscal year 2008.

The need is urgent.  The lives of many Iraqis who were partners with the U.S. in its mission in Iraq hang in the balance.  I urge you to make public a policy memo outlining specifically when and how the Administration intends to fulfill its obligations under the "Refugee Crisis in Iraq Act."

Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your address]

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Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice

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