On Passage of Iraqi Translator Legislation

Press Release

ON PASSAGE OF IRAQI TRANSLATOR LEGISLATION

Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy released the following statement in response to the Senate passage of the Iraqi Translator Visa Technical Corrections bill, which will provide for the continued processing of special immigrant visas (SIVs) for Iraqi and Afghan translators who assisted the U.S. military and U.S. government.

Co- sponsors of the legislation include Senators Lugar, Leahy, Specter, Levin, Cornyn, Biden, Hagel, Obama, Lieberman, McCain, Durbin, Sununu, Cardin, Smith, Coleman, Bond, Isakson, Clinton and Carper.

Senator Kennedy said, "This legislation will provide a necessary lifeline for those Iraqis who have bravely served the U.S. Government. I hope the House of Representatives will approve it quickly."

S. 2829 Iraqi Translator Visa Technical Corrections (Kennedy-Lugar)

Co-sponsors: Senators Kennedy, Lugar, Leahy, Specter, Levin, Cornyn, Biden, Hagel, Obama, Lieberman, McCain, Durbin, Sununu, Cardin, Smith, Coleman, Bond, Isakson, Clinton and Carper.

S. 2829 Iraqi Translator Visa Technical Corrections bill provides additional authority for continued processing of special immigrant visas (SIVs) for qualified Iraqi and Afghan translators who worked for the U.S. military and U.S. government.

Congress authorized 500 visas in this fiscal year for Iraqis who have worked for our government as translators and interpreters. The Administration has issued all of those visas, and applications are still being filed.

This legislative fix will enable the Administration to continue processing visas for these vulnerable Iraqis whose lives are at risk because of their service to the U.S. government. Visas will be counted against the 5,000 new special immigrant visas for Iraqis enacted in the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2008, enacted January 28, 2008.

This legislative fix is vital, considering that the SIV program is often the only efficient and effective way for Iraqi translators who served the U.S. to seek protection in the United States. It will ensure a smooth transition between the existing program for Iraqi translators and the new program for which the policy guidance is being finalized. Iraqi translators and interpreters who placed their lives, families, and livelihoods at risk to serve on the side of America are eligible for these special visas.

Background: Under section 1059 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006, Public Law 109- 163, up to 50 Iraqi and Afghan translators working for the U.S. military have been eligible for special immigrant visas (SIVs) each fiscal year (FY). Public Law 110- 36, enacted on June 15, 2007, amends section 1059 by expanding the total number of beneficiaries to 500 a year for FY 2007 and FY 2008 only. At this moment, DHS and the State Department have stopped issuing SIVs because they have reached the 500 cap.

Section 1: Amend paragraph (1) and (3) of Section 1244(c) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008.

Replaces language in 1244(c) of the national Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 and makes SIVs available from fiscal years 2008 through 2012. It does not result in any additional visas being issued; merely making the visas available now, instead of waiting until Oct. 1, 2008, the beginning of FY09.

Section 2: Authority to Convert Petitions During Transition Period

It authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security or Secretary of State to convert an approved petition for SIV status under Public Law 110- 36, to an approved petition for SIV status under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 for petitions filed on or before September 30, 2008.

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