US to allow more Iraqi refugees to enter into the country

More than 12,000 refugees from Iraq have already entered the United States over the past year.  Under pressure the government has decided to increase the number of refugees that are allowed into the country to 17,000.  The government was put under pressure because in the year previous the US only allowed 2,000 refugees from Iraq into the country.

The senior coordinator for Iraqi refugee issues at the State Department, James Foley, noted that "We intend to significantly increase the number we admit.  Depending on events in the region and barring any unforeseen developments, we expect to admit a minimum of 17,000 Iraqi refugees next year. Our aim is to maximize capacity and 17,000 is the floor."  Foley added that "We recognize our unique responsibilities toward displaced Iraqis and we have acted on that recognition."

Aside from Iraqis coming to the US as refugees there about 5,000 immigration visas specially earmarked for Iraqis who were employed by US sources, either government or contractors who were working in Iraq.  Advocacy groups are calling for the government to double the number of visas available to Iraqi citizens.

A statement released by a conglomerate of advocacy groups including Refugees International, Human Rights Watch, and Save the Children said that "The U.S. response is incommensurate with the scope of the need." 

Foley noted that not everyone would be satisfied by the new refugee and immigration goals passed by the US government but added that the government has provided over 300 million dollars in assistance over the last year to Iraqis.

www.state.gov