Iraq Refugees Look to President's Lincoln and Obama
Today is World Refugee Day. The United Nations designated June 20 as the annual day "...to recognize and celebrate the contributions of refugees throughout the world."
But for millions of Iraqis, today is hardly a day to celebrate.
"The country [Iraq] is dealing with one of the largest humanitarian and displacement crises in the world," reports Refugees International (RI).
The United Nations still reports government estimates of up to 4.8 million Iraqis displaced within the last 6 years, with 2 million fleeing, primarily to Syria and Jordan.
On April 21, 2009, the General Accountability Office (GAO) released, "Iraqi Refugee Assistance: Improvements Needed in Measuring Progress, Assessing Needs, Tracking Funds, and Developing an International Strategic Plan," a comprehensive assessment of the Iraqi refugee crisis.
The 78-page assessment paints a bleak picture of the situation.
"According to U.S., UN, foreign government, and NGO officials, the international community lacks a comprehensive international strategy to address the Iraqi refugee situation."
It looks as though the US response to the Iraqi refugee problem has come up wanting, on every front.
It's time for a change.
Historically, dealing with refugee crises is not something the US does very well.
Arguably, the US government responded to its first refugee crisis under President Lincoln's administration in the aftermath of the Civil War.
To help deal with the colossal scope of the problem, on March 3, 1865, Mr. Lincoln signed legislation to establish the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands.
The Bureau was formed to aid Civil War refugees, and through education, health care, and employment, the Bureau became a key agency during Reconstruction, assisting freed ex-slaves in the South.
The Bureau was located in the Department of War.
The very next day, March 4, 1865, President Lincoln gave his now famous Second Inaugural Address. In his speech he remarked about the importance of Reconstruction after the war,
With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds...which may achieve and cherish a just, and a lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations.
But Lincoln was struck down the following month and the Bureau was officially abolished in 1872. Consequently, from 1877 to 1965, States and localities enacted "Jim Crow laws" thereby stifling Lincoln's vision of assisting the refugees (mostly former slaves). It would take 99 years for the US Civil Rights Act of 1964 to renew what Lincoln began.
Today's contemporary refugee bureau, the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration, (PRM) exists within the US Department of State.
Among the responsibilities of a US Assistant Secretary of State, who directs the PRM, is the oversight of "...efforts to encourage greater participation in refugee assistance and resettlement on the part of foreign governments."
So, then why is there still no US-formulated "international strategic plan" to deal with the world's largest refugee crisis caused when our nation invaded Iraq over 6 years ago?
President Obama and Acting Assistant Secretary (for PRM) Samuel M. Whitten may do well to ponder one of the inscriptions in the Memorial that is two blocks from the Department of State.
On this World Refugee Day, can we do better?
Yes, we can.
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Yes, we could do more. How about taking in one Iraqi refugee for each expulsion of an illegal immigrant? Then these Iraqis could be settled along our southern border on free land, housing and infrastructure provided (similar climate they are accustomed to). Make them citizens, on the condition they prevent any further illegals crossing from Mexico. The trade-off would be fair. Two problems disappear.
The "refugee" problem was not caused by the U.S., it was caused by radical, hate filled terrorists in Iraq who attacked and intimidated people just because they were not the right type of Islam or they were Christian. Now that things are better in Iraq, thousands of "refugees" are returning to the country. It is time for all of them to return and help rebuild their society.
oh the POWER of Lincoln's words...and the VOID that was left ....and the ENORMOUS suffering that was wrought a direct result of Bush and his crony Neocons who PUSHED the country in this grievous war that has no end...especially for those the US "liberated"...thank you for REMINDING Americans the debt that is owed to Iraqis ....and to remember that other group of exiled human beings..in the MILLIONS for 61 yrs...Palestinians...despite the rhetoric and lies that have been published these six decades, and especially now...where millions yearn for a right to visit their once homeland...or to fulfill the UN Human Rights Charter or Geneva Conventions protocols which grant Refugees the RIGHT TO RETURN...American Amnesia fogs the issue...Again. but thank you Capt Montalvan for reminding readers ...that there are millions of displaced homeless aggrieved desperate women, men and children who deserve our support and recognition...thank you for reminding us of Lincoln's efforts. Let us work to continue reminding our fellows of this duty to be shared...and of those who await their most basic of human rights....TO RETURN...should they choose..blessings/salute to you as ever!/Miriam
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