KENNEDY RESPONSE TO ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCEMENT ON IRAQI REFUGEES

Washington, D.C.—Today the State Department made an announcement that several thousand Iraqi refugee referrals would be processed and funds would be given to the UNHCR. Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Refugees, held the first Congressional hearing on this issue last month and has lead the charge for the U.S. to help solve this emerging crisis. Below is his response:

“I am pleased that the Administration has decided to provide $18 million to the UNHCR to deal with the crisis of Iraqi refugees and will process 7000 of their refugee referrals. Two million Iraqi’s have fled the country, 1.7 million more have been displaced and thousands more are on the move every day – many of whom have targets on their backs because they have cooperated with the United States and assisted us in the war. The Administration has allowed less than 500 Iraqi refugees in the country since the start of the conflict, and this news is a welcome development.

While we can’t solve this problem alone, we have a moral responsibility to do all that we can and provide the necessary leadership to prevent this crisis from getting worse. I believe we can do more, by providing at least $30 million—half of what is needed — to the appeal. Also the Department of State should move quickly to get Iraqi refugees into the pipeline and continue to expedite the referral process so that refugees who are at great risk–- especially those at risk for their close association with the U.S. — can arrive here safely. Additionally, I urge the Administration to actively participate in the UN’s international conference to help both the refugees themselves and the countries in the region that are bearing the heaviest burden of hosting them. We can no longer ignore the plight of Iraqi refugees.”

–Jill McCarthy