Kennedy, Smith, Levin, Brownback on the Iraqi Refugee Provisions in the Defense Authorization Conference Report

Press Release

KENNEDY, SMITH, LEVIN, BROWNBACK ON THE IRAQI REFUGEE PROVISIONS IN THE DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION CONFERENCE REPORT

Today, Senators Edward M. Kennedy, Gordon Smith, Carl Levin, and Sam Brownback released the following statements on the signing of the Department of Defense Authorization Conference Report which contains provisions that would provide refugee status for Iraqis associated with the United States who are under threat of persecution.

The provisions in the conference report addresses the massive refugee crisis unfolding in Iraq. This conference report requires the Administration to increase its efforts to resettle Iraqi refugees, to expand the scope of special immigrant visas for Iraqis who have worked for the U.S. government, and to improve our response to the overall refugee crisis. Already more than 4 million Iraqis have fled the country, and nearly 2 million more have been displaced internally.

Senator Kennedy said, "America has a strong obligation to keep faith with the Iraqis who have worked so bravely with us - and have often paid a terrible price for it. These brave men and women are Iraqi nationals who work alongside our military, who staff our Embassy, and who work with American firms and non-governmental organizations to support the diplomatic, military, political and economic reconstruction of Iraq. Their support and loyalty have cost too many lives already, and their families have been threatened as well. They have lost their homes, their livelihoods, their families and friends. Millions have been forced to flee their communities or even their country because of the danger.

Regardless of where we stand on the war with Iraq, we are united in our belief that America has a fundamental obligation to assist the Iraqis who have courageously supported our forces and our effort in Iraq and whose lives are in peril as a result. The target of the assassin's bullet is now on their back, and our government has a responsibility to try to save their lives. We've taken an important step to save their lives, and now the Administration must implement this law without delay. Too much time has passed and too many lives hang in the balance."

"America has a basic responsibility give a hand to the brave Iraqis who put their lives at risk to help our troops," Senator Smith said. "We cannot strand or abandon them. What we can do is provide a safe haven and a little assistance to help them get their feet back on the ground."

"The humanitarian crisis caused by the millions of Iraqis who have been displaced is staggering," said Levin, Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee. "The United States has a moral obligation to help those Iraqis who have assisted or are assisting our military and civilian forces, and this legislation will bring us closer to fulfilling that responsibility. This legislation will also pave the way for religious minority groups - many of whom are caught in the crossfire of sectarian violence and are particularly vulnerable - to apply directly to the U.S. for refugee status."

Senator Brownback said, "The current Iraqi refugee crisis is one of grief and sorrow. At over 4 million refugees and internally displaced people, this is a humanitarian problem cannot go ignored. The focus of this situation should be kept on assisting those affected. We must do our part both by aiding those nations that are absorbing the refugees and by stepping up efforts to resettle certain refugees in the United States. So many brave Iraqis have risked their lives and the lives of their family members to support our effort there. We thank them, we applaud them, and we will not leave them in their time of need."