Mobile UPI  |   About UPI  |   UPI en Español  |   UPI Arabic  |   UPIU  |   My Account
Search:
Go

U.S. unveils Iraqi visa program

|
|
 
  
Published: July 24, 2008 at 5:16 PM

BAGHDAD, July 24 (UPI) -- Iraqi employees working for the U.S. government in Iraq are eligible for a special immigrant visa under a new program announced Thursday.

The "Special Immigrant Status for Certain Iraqis" program, authorized in June, makes 5,000 visas available for Iraqi employees every year over the course of the next five years, the U.S. Embassy said.

U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker said the program is "a significant step" in the efforts to compensate Iraqi citizens who risked their lives working for the U.S. government.

"The tremendous sacrifices that they and their families have made deserve our recognition and support. I am pleased that this special immigrant visa program is now available to reward their loyal service to the United States," Crocker said.

Applicants must be Iraqi citizens who provided at least one year of service to the U.S. government since the 2003 invasion and who have encountered serious threats to their lives as a result of that service.

The program includes resettlement benefits by way of housing and healthcare benefits for up to eight months. Transportation costs to the United States will be covered by the program, though the visa recipients are required to repay their airfare at a later date.

The spouses and any children under the age of 18 who are unmarried will qualify for the immigrant visa, though these will not count toward the annual cap.

© 2008 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Any reproduction, republication, redistribution and/or modification of any UPI content is expressly prohibited without UPI's prior written consent.

Order reprints
  
Join the conversation
Most Popular Collections
Protesters, police clash at NATO summit Notable deaths of 2012 2012 Billboard Music Awards
The 137th Preakness Stakes Annual Solar eclipse occurs in U.S. Chen Guangcheng arrives in the U.S.
Additional Special Reports Stories
1 of 29
Members of the Army's Old Guard place flags at Arlington National Ceremtery
View Caption
U.S. flags are seen in the rucksack of a soldier with the Army's 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment, The Old Guard, as he places flags at gravesites in Arlington National Cemetery as part of the Flags-In Memorial Day ceremony on May 24, 2012 in Arlington, Virginia. American flags were placed at each of the more than 220,000 grave markers in honor of those who served and Memorial Day. UPI/Kevin Dietshc
fark
How to correctly cook scrambled eggs. Yes...you've been doing it wrong
Sometimes you rescue a cat, and sometimes ... that cat rescues you right back. A happy little story...
Detroit officials plan to turn off half of all streetlights to save cash. Angry residents once again...
NASA worried that future lunar visitors may destroy historical sites on the moon, issues guidelines...
San Diego Fark Party, THIS SATURDAY May 26th 6:00pm at Pizza Port Solana Beach
Can you grow a bread with Rogaine? Here comes the SCIENCE