Iraqi Refugee Resettlement

The United States surpassed its goal of resettling 12,000 Iraqi refugees during fiscal year 2008, according to the departments of Homeland Security (DHS) and State (DOS). As of September 12, 2008, 12,118 Iraqi refugees had been resettled. Refugees were chosen for resettlement after being identified and referred to the US Refugee Admissions Program by a United States embassy, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), or certain NGOs. In addition to the Iraqi refugee program, DHS and DOS have issued regulations that allow certain Iraqi nationals who previously worked for the United States military or US government to apply for special immigrant visas.