In response to my recent CONTENTIONS post about the difficulty of securing visas for translators who have put their lives on the line to help American forces in Iraq, I received the following email. I have not verified its contents but on its face it appears to be another appalling story of bureaucratic ineptitude that hurts our closest allies. The author of the email, Alaric Morgan, agreed to let me post it. You can read it in its entirety after the jump.
Greetings,Yesterday my friend called me and said she heard a radio program that you spoke on concerning Iraqi’s coming to America and how hard it is for them. By the time I tuned to the station they had moved to another subject. May I briefly fill you in on my very frustrating, but very similar, situation?
I worked as a police officer in Colorado for 25 years. In 2004 I went to Baghdad as a civilian police adviser. I worked there for 3 years. Our company worked closely with Iraqi citizens, both as interpreters and as personal security guards for us. One of the men who worked with our company for 4 years became my husband (we married in Jordan in 2006).
In October 2006 we applied for a visa for him. He continued to work for us as a personal security guard, risking his life everyday —not only on the job but in his neighborhood as well. We kept our marriage secret as we were afraid word would get out to sources unfriendly to Americans—and unfriendly to Iraqi’s working with Americans—and my husband would be killed or kidnapped.
In March 2007 I had to return to the US, as I was not allowed to renew my contract (I had been in Ira1 3 years and the DOS required us to repatriate—-plus I wanted to get my husband to the US). He stayed in Baghdad and continued working with Americans as a personal security guard . In May 2007 we had his interview at the US Embassy in Jordan. It was very hard getting him in Jordan, as that government is cracking down on allowing refugees into their country. After his interview he was told the visa would not be issued at that time and that it would be another 8-12 weeks. We decided that he should remain in Jordan–that if he returned to Baghdad it would be too dangerous and he might not be able to get back into Jordan at a later date.
After 12 weeks there was still no visa, so I began sending emails. I sent them to the Embassy in Jordan, as well as to my Congressman. It took weeks for my Congressman to reply to me and then they promptly forgot about my request for a Congressional Inquiry. I hired an attorney in the beginning of the process, but even this attorney would not get back with me.
I tried very hard to find out what was going on but all I was told by the US Embassy in Jordan was that his application was being processed and he had to wait until they received approval from the Department of State. Finally, in October my Congressman’s office said they sent an inquiry. In November my husband was contacted by the US Embassy and was told his visa was ready and he needed to get his passport to them. We were so happy!! However, 2 weeks later his passport was returned without a visa and no explanation. Around that same time my Congressman got a reply to the inquiry—but it contained NO information as to why the visa was not issued—it only said the application was being processed. I sent an email to the US Embassy and was advised that the DOS wanted more information on his application. All along I have been advised that the ” process usually takes one month but can take longer. ” So, we waited and waited.
Let me just add that at no time has ANYONE ever talked to me during this process. I have made numerous attempts to contact someone directly but am always referred back to the email address for the Embassy in Jordan—-and when I send emails asking for details and information I get nothing but the standard “it is being processed and you must wait”.
Now, into 2008. In February again the Embassy called my husband and said the visa was ready. Again, he got his passport to them. Again, it was returned (after 3 weeks) with NO VISA and NO REASON other than saying the DOS must approve all visas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I sent an email wanting more information and got none. I sent an email to my Senator and as yet have not heard anything back. I tried to contact a local law firm and they have not responded either.
So, no one has to tell me how difficult it is to bring my husband here! He risked his life everyday for Americans—-but since we were civilians it does not seem to have made any difference. As a matter of fact a worker in my Congressman’s office callously commented that his working with us did not indicate his loyalty to us or lack of connections to terrorists because they “blow themselves up all the time”, so if he were on a convoy with us and got killed that is just part of what they do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We are at our wits end and do not know what to do or who to turn to. I know this is a long email, but believe me I have condensed it A LOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you have an suggestions, or anyone I can turn to for help PLEASE let me know!
Again, thank you for listening. I hope to hear back from you, or someone, soon.
Alaric Morgan
Perhaps someone at the State Department will read this plea for help and do something. Or is that expecting too much?
