Statement by Senator Kennedy in Advance of Administration Proposal on Iraq Refugees

Press Release

STATEMENT BY SENATOR KENNEDY IN ADVANCE OF ADMINISTRATION PROPOSAL ON IRAQ REFUGEES

Today Senator Kennedy issued the following statement in response to the State Department's announcement that they will soon propose legislation on Iraqi refugees. Kennedy, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Refugees, held the first Congressional hearing on Iraqi refugees in February and has lead the charge for the U.S. to help solve this emerging crisis.

"For too long, the Administration has let down those brave Iraqi men and women who have risked their lives to work with us and millions of others who have fled their homes as a result of the civil war in Iraq. Just like in every other crisis we've faced in Iraq, the response has been late, timid and incomplete. As they craft a proposal on Iraqi refugees, I urge the Administration to be bold and generous. Refugees are in need, and people are dying. We cannot take every refugee into this country, but we need to show decisive leadership. Those who translated for our military and who qualify for the existing translator program ought to be at the top of the list. Already, nearly 500 Iraqis who fought with American soldiers and who saved American lives have been recommended by the military. At a minimum, we need to change the program to allow them to come to the United States immediately. They have a target on their back because of their work with the U.S. Military, and they should not be told to wait in line for three years."

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