A former interpreter for U.S. forces, Tariq, 27, has been hiding out in his home because of death threats. (Carolyn Cole, Los Angeles Times / December 12, 2011)
Iraqi Interpreters For U.S. Military In Dangerous Limbo -- L.A. Times
Thousands were promised spots first in line for special visas to the U.S., but the process has slowed to a crawl. Now the Iraqis, targeted for death because of their service to America, can only wait.
Reporting from Baghdad — He rarely leaves his house. He's been shot at by gunmen in a passing car. He gets death threats over the phone.
"Traitor," the callers say. "American agent."
Tariq, 27, is a quick-witted, tech-savvy Iraqi who tosses off idiomatic American English phrases such as "I'm outta here" and "That's cool."
When he served as an interpreter for the U.S. military, Tariq lived on a secure base, safe from fellow Iraqis determined to kill him because of his service to America. But when the unit he served pulled out of Iraq on Oct. 13, he was dismissed and escorted off the base.
The U.S. government promised Tariq and thousands of other former interpreters that they would be first in line for special visas to the United States. But with the pace of visa approvals having slowed to a crawl, that promise rings hollow for Tariq, who stays locked in his parents' home, working the phones and the Internet to track his application.
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My Comment: Welcome to American bureaucracy and not being a priority on Washington`s "to do list". I am sure their applications will eventually be approved .... but it will take time.
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