 | The War in Iraq lasted eight years, from march 2003 to 2011, and The total death toll was over 25,000. Over 11,000 were wounded. We hear many stories about the war; Stories about combat. Stories about corruption. Stories about Weapons of Mass Destruction. Stories about Bush. Stories about Saddam. This article is about an aftereffect of the war. Something serious that is still happening today. Not just a ripple in the wake of the Iraq war, but a wave. |
US congress took great care to make sure that Iraqis who aided American troops got visas. It was a bipartisan issue, and a bill was passed ensuring it. Unfortunately when the war ended, the program ended too, even though there were thousands of Iraqis still in danger. US troops began to pull out leaving many people vulnerable, and without protection. Death threats and decapitations became more common.
Even though Democrats and Republicans alike wanted safety for those who had aided the Army, the program was not brought back. Now that the program is gone, some apply for visas, but few, very few are actually saved. Meanwhile the danger grows. An unnamed translator says “They call me on my personal phone. They say that they will cut off my head and shove it into my rectum.”
The terror brought upon the translators is a major human rights issue that no one is doing anything about. Not only that, but, there is a simple solution. If the US were to bring back the visa program, all the at risk persons could be brought to safety.
The situation in Iraq is difficult to quantify. We don’t know exactly how many people were employed, or how many are still in danger. We do know that anywhere between 50,000 and 100,000 people were employed throughout the course of the war. What can be said is that what is happening is tragic. It's often difficult to hear about things like this because we feel that nothing can be done. This situation may be an exception. Because everyone agrees on this issue, it is possible to change it. If enough Americans write to their congress men, a bill could be passed.
Even though Democrats and Republicans alike wanted safety for those who had aided the Army, the program was not brought back. Now that the program is gone, some apply for visas, but few, very few are actually saved. Meanwhile the danger grows. An unnamed translator says “They call me on my personal phone. They say that they will cut off my head and shove it into my rectum.”
The terror brought upon the translators is a major human rights issue that no one is doing anything about. Not only that, but, there is a simple solution. If the US were to bring back the visa program, all the at risk persons could be brought to safety.
The situation in Iraq is difficult to quantify. We don’t know exactly how many people were employed, or how many are still in danger. We do know that anywhere between 50,000 and 100,000 people were employed throughout the course of the war. What can be said is that what is happening is tragic. It's often difficult to hear about things like this because we feel that nothing can be done. This situation may be an exception. Because everyone agrees on this issue, it is possible to change it. If enough Americans write to their congress men, a bill could be passed.
US troops invaded Iraq in the spring of 2003. The army needed translators to help the US soldiers understand the civilians and visa versa. English speaking Iraqi volunteers helped translate. In return they were promised asylum in America. If anti-western fundamentalist groups like the Taliban would threaten, and even kill anyone helping American troops. Many translators and their families were threatened with torture and decapitation. “If the insurgents capture us, they will cut off our heads because the imams say we are spies. I have been threatened fifteen times, and when I was driving, my neighbor said ‘I will kill you.’ ” says a 24 year old translator
Translators were being paid, and were promised asylum for themselves and their families in America; so many people did work for the army despite the threats. In fact, more than 50,00 Iraqi people worked with the military as translators during the war. And many were killed. We know of many deaths because of this. A video of a translator being beheaded was posted online.
Translators were being paid, and were promised asylum for themselves and their families in America; so many people did work for the army despite the threats. In fact, more than 50,00 Iraqi people worked with the military as translators during the war. And many were killed. We know of many deaths because of this. A video of a translator being beheaded was posted online.
