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U.S. turns away Iraqi allies

Those who risked their lives often lack proper documents

By Kristen Chick THE WASHINGTON TIMES | Wednesday, October 8, 2008

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CAIRO

When Lafta Mansur Adda fled Iraq, he had hoped to find refuge in the United States. After all, he nearly lost his life because of his work for the U.S. Army near Baghdad.

First had come the warnings to stop working at Camp Taji. When he ignored the threats, he was attacked on his way home from work, shot multiple times and left for dead.

Fearful for his life and his family's safety, Mr. Adda escaped in 2006 with his wife and eight children to Egypt, where he applied to the U.S. refugee program for Iraqis threatened because of their work for the U.S.

But after months of waiting, Mr. Adda, 43, was informed that the State Department could not verify his eligibility. He was denied access to the program.

Now he is desperate. Because of his refugee status, he is prohibited from working and his children cannot attend public schools. Private tuition is too expensive, and he has exhausted his savings. He cannot support his family in Egypt, but he is determined not to risk their lives by returning to Iraq.

"Can you imagine a father who can't send his kids to school?" he asked. "What can I do? I helped the Americans. I gave them everything, and I even left my country."

Legal-aid specialists for Iraqi refugees say Mr. Adda is one of a growing number in Cairo who meet the requirements to apply to the program but have been turned away because the State Department cannot verify that they are eligible.

Policies that were designed to protect against fraud, said refugee advocates, are excluding some of the most vulnerable victims.

"The purpose of the program, which was to honor American commitments to people who fought for them and risked their lives, doesn't seem to be working," said Barbara Harrell-Bond, professor of forced migration and refugee studies at the American University in Cairo.