Certain categories of Iraqis with U.S. affiliations may apply directly for consideration under the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) in Jordan, Egypt and Iraq. Refugee processing inside Iraq will be limited by security and logistical constraints and we encourage the majority of Iraqis with U.S. affiliations to apply for USRAP consideration in Jordan or Egypt if possible. At the present time, our capacity to process Iraqi refugees for resettlement is much greater in Jordan and Egypt than in Iraq.
Persons described in the categories below who believe they are at risk or have experienced serious harm as a result of association with the U.S. Government since March 20, 2003, and who wish to be considered for resettlement as refugees in the United States may initiate a case by contacting the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Jordan at AmmanInfoCenter@iom.int or 962-6-562-5080 (new phone number); or in Egypt at CairoInfoCenter@iom.int or 20-22-735-7053. Persons wishing to initiate a case in Iraq should contact IOM at BaghdadInfoCenter@iom.int.
The following individuals and their immediate families (spouse and unmarried children under age 21), with verifiable proof of employment, may seek access through this program in Jordan, Egypt and Iraq:
- Iraqis who work/worked on a full-time basis as interpreters/translators for the U.S. Government (USG) or Multi-National Forces (MNF-I) in Iraq;
- Iraqis who are/were employed by the USG in Iraq;
- Iraqis who are/were employees of an organization or entity closely associated with the U.S. mission in Iraq that has received USG funding through an official and documented contract, award, grant or cooperative agreement;
- Iraqis who are/were employed in Iraq by a U.S.-based media organization or non-governmental organization;
- Spouses, sons, daughters, parents and siblings of individuals described in the four categories above, or of an individual eligible for a Special Immigrant Visa as a result of his/her employment by or on behalf of the USG in Iraq, including if the individual is no longer alive, provided that the relationship is verified;
- Iraqis who are the spouses, sons, daughters, parents, brothers or sisters of a citizen of the United States, or who are the spouses or unmarried sons or daughters of a Permanent Resident Alien of the United States, as established by their being or becoming beneficiaries of approved family-based I-130 Immigrant Visa Petitions.
Regarding persons in the sixth category above, the U.S.-based relative who filed an approved I-130 immigrant visa petition on behalf of his/her Iraqi relatives should have received a letter from the Department of State informing them of their relative’s eligibility for a refugee interview. If an Iraqi’s U.S.-based relative has not received this letter, or if the U.S.-based relative has not yet filed an I-130 petition but he/she or the potential beneficiary is interested in learning more about this option, please check the following website for “I-130 P-2 Program Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)”: http://www.wrapsnet.org/RPCWRAPS/FAQ/tabid/75/language/en-US/Default.aspx
Initiating the process with the USRAP does not guarantee access to the program or an interview for resettlement in the United States. The first step in the process will be verification of the claimed association. Applicants will be notified by IOM once this verification has been completed to arrange the next steps in the process. The U.S. refugee resettlement program is free of charge to applicants. There is no need to contact a third party, such as an attorney or advocacy organization, regarding access. Please be aware that you should submit an application for this program directly to IOM and not to a third party in order to access the U.S. Refugee Program.
Please note that this program is separate from the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program. See http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_4172.html for SIV information.
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