Hope for Iraqi Interpreters to go to U.S.

The Christian Science Monitor profiles the Shiite, Iraqi couple "Sarah" and "Chris" today, telling their troubles and turmoil of being interpreters for the U.S. forces in Iraqi and their plan to enter the U.S. under the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program to raise a family.

Because of security concerns the nicknames Sarah and Chris are used instead of their real names in the article. Sarah is on a militant hit list. Her mother's life has been threatened. Chris's folks house has been bombed twice and he's lost 11 interpreter colleagues and friends since 2006. There is also a $20,000 bounty on interpreters offered by militants and one double that amount for female interpreters.

Chris and Sarah feel their current environment is too hostile to bring up kids. They would like instead to raise a family in the states. They said they are willing to come back after they spend some time in America.

Their dream could be within reach.

President Bush recently extended a law, through 2012, that will continue to allow Afghan and Iraqi interpreters working for the State Department and military possible entrance into the United States under the SIV program.

Right now, the US has already met its quota of 500 SIVs for 2008. According to the State Department it will grant 50 more in 2009.

The article goes on describing the long and arduous process of applying for an SIV. It also mentions the interesting mix of culture and politics surrounding interpreters.

-Dippold

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