But six years after he applied to immigrate to the United States under a program for interpreters who helped America, he is still waiting. U.S. officials cite multiple reasons for the delays, including an attack on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, a hack of a refugee database, the COVID-19 pandemic and cuts to the refugee program under then-President Donald Trump. Between the invasion and this year, as many as 300,000 Iraqis were killed along with more than 8,000 U.S. military, contractors and civilians. There are also about 100 Iraqis who applied for a more narrow special immigrant visa program for Iraqis who worked directly for or on behalf of the U.S. government. The U.S. refugee program, which endured historic cuts under Trump, only in recent months has started to show signs of recovery.

Source: Ethiopian News June 25, 2023 21:18 UTC