Mudhafer al-Husaini has applied for a program which allows Iraqi employees of American media companies to apply for refugee status in the United States. Changing circumstances at home and in the U.S. have prompted some to reconsider, although they have long dreamed of escape.
BAGHDAD–Several months ago I applied for a refugee program that resettles Iraqis who have worked closely with the American forces, media and other organizations. Many of my colleagues with The New York Times have also applied for the program, but some of them are now worried about the economic crisis in the States.
By Qassem H.J.
I’ve made good progress in the program and I’m expecting to move to the States with my family soon. I’m really excited about it, and I see my dream is going to be fulfilled very soon. The only thing that I’m concerned about is the economy, and whether I’m going to find a suitable job or not.
Many of my colleagues who want to go to the States are wondering about their futures there, especially after the problems with the economy. Some have canceled their refugee applications and others have postponed their interviews or security screenings until they find out more about the situation in America.
However I talked to some of the Iraqi refugees who are already in the States and it’s clear that even those who complain about their situation there are not willing to come back. A lot of those who arrived in America recently think it’s going to be a hard life for them. Their first target is to get the green card and move to another country, especially an Arabic country. I believe that you will get more respect and special treatment in one of these countries if you are carrying a green card rather than carrying an Iraqi passport.
It’s been really hard for all of us living in Iraq. Things are better now but still fragile and uncertain. The security situation may be better but life isn’t that normal yet. The American-led invasion has changed Iraq for good and for bad. Bad things can’t be removed in one night, especially in Iraq. It’s been hard to predict the future of Iraq lately, but I think it will be easier in the States.
I have a good job with The New York Times now. I get a decent salary compared with the living standards in Iraq. But I still lack many other things as a young man: I don’t get the chance to date a girl or have fun like the others around the world because of the recent situation in Iraq.
I’ve also applied for my family to come with me. That includes my parents, my younger brother and my sister’s family which consists of four members and is considered a part of my immediate family because social relations are very strong in Iraq. We’re all looking for a change outside Iraq, and are willing to start over in America.
I’m planning to move to California because under this refugee program you have the chance to be resettled near your relatives once you are approved, if they match specific conditions. My relative is one of the Iraqi refugees who left Iraq to go to the States on one of the American warplanes after the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait; her husband was wounded in ‘Desert Storm.’
I feel optimistic about my future in America because simply I don’t think America will be tougher than Iraq. I’m just wondering whether I’ll be welcome there or not, once people know that I come from Iraq.
11 Comments
things are tough here in the US because of the economy, but nothing like in Iraq. You may find some negativity here towards Iraqis, but in general Americans tend to judge people as human beings first. So if you are a good person, and willing to work hard, you should do okay here. America is a melting pot; there are all different types of people here, with different ethnic backgrounds. Having a relative here should help…. My husband’s family came from Romania after Ceausescu’s execution, and 16 years later they are all doing well; it’s a big adjustment. good luck!
— Lynda BotezThings are tough enough here for Americans trying to get by. These refugee status laws need to be changed to only include immediate family, not in-laws and cousins. Family is important here as well but in these tough times limits must be set. American taxpayer money is funding this refugee resettlement and some American group will suffer some setback to make resettleing somebody’s brother-in-law possible. This happened when in 1975 , money allocated for minority low income housing was rerouted to VietNamese resettleing, over 600 million dollars and never replaced by Pres. Ford.
— Michelle CunninghamMudhafer, your command of the English language will help ensure your success in America. Though we have a struggling economy, there are still opportunities in the cities. Also, I think most Americans know that Iraqis are not our enemy. Migrating isn’t glamorous or easy, but America is much more stable than Iraq. I wish you and your family the best!
— Joy, BrooklynHopefully you’ll make your way here soon, if you do, good luck.
— KP, Waterford NYFor others who have been cheerleaders for Bush’s war of agression in Iraq…you should examine the chaos unleashed on Iraqis like him and his family.
Our armed forces must never again be misused for aggresive interventions in far off lands, instead our military can only be used for strictly defensive or humanitarian purposed…if the armed forces as an institution is going to retain legitimacy and support in the eyes of the American people.
Living in the San Diego, California area, I know many Iraqis who have recently come here to start a new life. The overall consensus about making the right decision to move here is cut right down the middle. Many families feel blessed while others wish to go back. The deciding factors often deal with whether or not there are family members living nearby as well as the conditions of your new home/apartment. There will be drastic changes, for better or worse, to which you will have to adjust.
In response to Michelle’s comment: dont you think that for all the mess and misery–lives lost, families destroyed, cities ravaged and demolished, and a country thousands of years older than america sent back to step one–that we who caused this disaster should somehow give back to those whom we have made suffer? Put yourself in their shoes, and next time think before you speak.
— JAlthough the recession is bad it’s not certain it’ll be as bad as some are reporting. According to John Huizinga of the University of Chicago once we look at percentage of job loss relative to current full employment and project that out through 2010 the current recession isn’t as bad as the one in 1982 yet. And even if it’s worse in the end it’s still nowhere near as bad as the great depression which was maybe ten times worse than ‘82. In any case I find it hard to believe there would be anything but sympathy for you as an Iraqi here in America. Most people are aware of how hard life can be there. I suppose it’s possible but as an American myself I find the idea that some here would resent you, as the previous commenters have suggested, a little hard to believe. But maybe I’m just being naive.
— DavidRegardless of the value of the dollar, one can be assured a good night’s sleep in the US. One’s children can go to a school and have a vista of personal opportunities. Our ground is a not laced with deadly explosives.
— William KellerThis is the fruit of Empire building. The UK is filled with the peoples of their dead empire and they are sucking it dry. The same will happen to us.
Our first imperial war was the Spanish-American War. We invaded Puerto Rico, Cuba, and the Philipine Islands. Many of the peoples from those countries then emigrated to the home nation, some even used terror tactics to right perceived wrongs comitted by America (P.R. nationalists and their bombing of the US Capitol building).
Iraqis will be here soon in the millions. While some Iraqis may become assets to America, many more will be burdens. And a smaller few may seek to avenge past wrongs via terrorism.
Keep them out.
— patThank you, William Keller for reminding us of the fundamentals of our blessed lives we take for granted. Even if the economy is in poor shape, there’s always someone worse off than you and it’s the hallmark of a civilised society to take care of the vulnerable and disadvantaged.
Iraqis will NOT be anywhere in the millions, although Pat thinks they will. That’s nutty xenophobia. Most Iraqi refugees remain in the Middle Eastern region.
— HelenaThank you, Pat, for your unsubstantiated, fortune-telling, and xenophobic claims. That was helpful. As Helena said, Iraqi immigration will not be in the millions, as our immigration laws do not allow it these days and it is difficult to migrate illegally from the middle east. What evidence have you that foreigners are overrunning the UK and “sucking it dry”?
To Mudhafer: please come and enjoy your life in America. After all, nearly everyone here had ancestors who immigrated from somewhere else. I imagine your circumstances will cause you to work much harder than people like Pat and myself (after all, I am writing this at work)…perhaps you can help us out of this recession.
— MikeWhat im curious is to why the first target is to “get a green card, and Immigrate to an Arabic country.” If that is the goal… why not go directly there, why make a pit-stop out of America?
As you said, if you work hard, Life isn’t so bad in America, most people here are happy. However; If you just want to claim refugee status, get a green card, then leave… You may find America a bad choice indeed.
— Rick