U.S. taking in 27,500 Iraqis who helped Americans

Houston Chronicle ^

[TomGuy]

Why are they coming here if the surge has worked, etc.?

Why would they not want to stay in Iraq and help with its future rebuilding?

[Maelstorm]

Seems to me we need these people more in Iraq than as immigrants. It is not that I’m not appreciative of their help but I think we should be encouraging Iraqis to return to the now more stable Iraq to help keep it that way.

[WilliamReading]

Iraq is a dangerous place, they would rather live in the U.S.

“The announcement implements congressionally-mandated changes initially sought by Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., an ardent critic of the Iraq war who has pressed the White House to admit Iraqis imperiled by their roles as translators for U.S. military units and others who work for U.S. forces and officials in Iraq.”

[skeeter]

The Bush administration opened the nation's arms to as many as 27,500 endangered Iraqis who have rendered ''faithful and valuable service" to Uncle Sam since the invasion of Iraq.

I would think living in a newly free Iraq, purchased at the cost of 4k+ American lives & untold billions, would be compensation enough.

Besides, isn't our rescuing 27k Iraqis from who knows what send at odds with our claims of success over there?

I guess I'm just getting tired of America playing Santa to the world, usually at taxpayer expense.

[ExTexasRedhead]

Take them in trade and send back Saudis, Pakistanis, Iranians,Al Qaeda and Hamas terrorists that we know are here. We could also trade Congressional Liberals and RINO’s starting with Pelosi, Reid, Kerry, Murtha, Durbin, Feinstein, Boxer.

[willgolfforfood]

Just terrific.

I guess the US Taxpayer is going to be on the hook to teach them Spanish, also?

[VOA]

The Bush administration opened the nation's arms to as many as
27,500 endangered Iraqis who have rendered ''faithful and
valuable service" to Uncle Sam since the invasion of Iraq.

I guess I must have been snoozing in 2003 when Dubya mentioned
this little detail.

Oh well, they can make nice with the approx 40,000 Bosnians
resettled in the greater St. Louis MO area.

[Christopher Lincoln]

This sounds dangerously close to an admission of defeat.

[RoseofTexas]

OH GOD, that’s all we need more muslims who will refuse to assimilate into the American culture. SO, what’s next instead of Spanish? The Arabic language or sharia law? 25,000 will multiply into 1 million in 10 years....FUDGE!

[hoosierham]

Why aren't they rebuilding Iraq?

Running away from the enemy won't help.

[LibWhacker]

OK... Have they renounced honor killings? What about their 42 kids and 6 wives? Do they really want to assimilate, or chop infidel heads?

I'm all for rewarding those who stick their necks out for America, but as we know with these people, that's not enough anymore. If they try to hold onto their old prejudices and beliefs it's not going to be a good fit. And to allow them to bring their entire "family" carte blanche, busloads of glowering sons who may hate daddy for what he's done to help the Americans... Terrible idea. Let them move in next door to a liberal, not me.

[CdMGuy]

So, we fight a war in which US and other nations’ military are killed and maimed and this is the result? Why aren’t these people staying and fighting for their homeland? I don’t see any Israelis running away from Israel. Unbelievable.

[BubbaJunebug]

Hope to hell they all move to Crawford...would serve the f@cker right.

[La Enchiladita]

Looks to me like these particular Iraqis would face serious reprisals back home, due to their cooperation with the U.S.

Iraqis like this have been fleeing to other countries, including Iran, all along. Better to have them here than in Iran, Syria, etc.

[Polybius]

I don’t see any Israelis running away from Israel.

How many Israelis do you actually know?

Emigration from Israel exceeds immigration ..... In 2007, 14,400 immigrants are expected in Israel while 20,000 people are expected to leave the country, according to the report based on figures for the first months of 2007. .... the Maariv newspaper reported that approximately a quarter of the Israeli population was considering emigration. ..... Almost half of the country's young people were thinking of leaving the country, the report said. Their reasons included dissatisfaction with the government, the education system, a lack of confidence in the political ruling class and concern over the security situation.

[dforest]

I would suggest they live in one of the extra states Barry has added.

[BobS]

I think this is the only thing I will ever agree with Kennedy on. They were in the service of the U.S. during a war and may be targeted by whatever external jihad group. A lot of Iraqis enlisted in the U.S. military and got trained here and in English.

I say they should be in our Border Patrol carrying AK-47s on foot; setting traps and ambushes for the malos cabrones.

[hunter112]

The best reason to stay out of war: all the freaking refugees we end up taking in whether we win or lose...

[skeeter]

I look at it differently. They were in service of their own country.

To accept your premise is to give lie to the administration's stated purpose for being there in the first place.