Safe from war, but barely surviving

[sniffa]

The Iraqi translator called Shark knew his life was at risk every day that he worked for American troops in Iraq. Insurgents viewed translators as traitors and had wounded or killed scores of his colleagues. But he believed the Americans would improve life in his country, and despite receiving dozens of death threats, he translated for Americans while they trained Iraqi soldiers and went on patrols.

more stories like thisAfter a bomb ripped through his car just as he, his wife, and baby son were about to get in, he asked the United States for asylum.

"I held the visa in my hands and thought, 'We'll live the American dream,' " he said.

...........

"We both have college educations," said the translator, who asked to be identified by the moniker American troops gave him, Shark, out of fear that insurgents will hurt his relatives in Iraq if they find out that he is now living in the United States. "We both risked our lives for the American government. Now we wash dishes and mop floors. There's something wrong with that."

............

"It's as if we think that our obligation to honor their service is simply to bring them here," said Kirk Johnson, whose nonprofit organization in New York, the List Project, helps Iraqis who work for US forces apply for special immigrant visas. One Iraqi family the List Project had helped move to the United States became so frustrated that the family returned to the Middle East, though not to Iraq, Johnson said.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/maine/articles/2008/04/14/safe_from_war_but_barely_surviving/

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This isn't the first story I've read about Iraqi or Afghan translators that were granted access to our country. I've read of some programs like the one listed above, and another that helps get them clothes and furniture.

Maybe someone can help me out, as I'm not sure where to search other than google, but is there a program that is helping them find jobs here? I think we owe them at least that.

[babylonsister]

1. I don't know about jobs, but have read we are NOT

doing enough to help people who have helped us:


Stalwart Service for U.S. in Iraq Is Not Enough to Gain Green Card

By Karen DeYoung
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, March 23, 2008; Page A01


During his nearly four years as a translator for U.S. forces in Iraq, Saman Kareem Ahmad was known for his bravery and hard work. "Sam put his life on the line with, and for, Coalition Forces on a daily basis," wrote Marine Capt. Trent A. Gibson.

Gibson's letter was part of a thick file of support -- including commendations from the secretary of the Navy and from then-Maj. Gen. David H. Petraeus -- that helped Ahmad migrate to the United States in 2006, among an initial group of 50 Iraqi and Afghan translators admitted under a special visa program.

Last month, however, the U.S. government turned down Ahmad's application for permanent residence, known as a green card. His offense: Ahmad had once been part of the Kurdish Democratic Party, which U.S. immigration officials deemed an "undesignated terrorist organization" for having sought to overthrow former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.

more...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/22/AR2008032202228.html?hpid=moreheadlines

Biden and Kennedy are working on it:

http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?parm1=3&docID=cqmidday-000002699352

[sniffa]

2. Maybe now is where we start

Most, if not all of the people that helped us, are highly educated.

Maybe we should start a non-profit as a starting point. I'm sure many companies that are looking to hire someone with their skill set, would love to give back to people that risked their lives for our soldiers.

[sniffa]

4. .

[sniffa]

3. kick