The IQD Team
Interview 11-8-11 with Tariq from Baghdad, Iraq
641-715-3900 Pin 730283#
(Hit 2 to Reverse 30 sec, 3 to Fast Forward 30 seconds)
Download/Playback (52 minutes)
Tariq, our good friend from Iraq who has worked with our U.S. Military for over 2 years now as an interpreter, joined us on our call tonight from Baghdad.
Many of you are already familiar with Tariq, as we have mentioned him on past calls...His life, along with the lives of interpreter's like him, IS IN JEOPARDY now that the U.S. Troops are leaving.
The 2 articles listed below are interviews of Tariq where it is explained as to why their lives are in jeopardy and what we can do to help. Please read the interviews as we are MAKING A PLEA FOR HELP!
Time is running out!
We MUST and NEED to Come Together as ONE!
Make a difference! ... Please remember..Helping & Giving is a Choice We Make That Saves Our Own Lives Too!
Diana Reads from the following News Articles & Interviews Tariq
July 24, 2011 – Philly.com Daily News [interview of Tariq]
Worldview: More tales of Iraqis who fear betrayal by U.S.
They stepped up to help American troops and civilians but now face death as "collaborators." We have to help them get their visas.
November 7, 2011 – Los Angeles Times [article by Tariq]
U.S. pullout leaves Iraqi interpreters out on limb
Iraqis who risked their lives to work for the U.S. military no longer have the protection of living on base. They want to move to the U.S., but red tape is holding up visas.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Synopsis of the above articles:
The U.S. bases in Iraq are closing, troops are coming home, and these Iraqi's now fear for their lives. Thousands of Iraqi's who have helped the American forces by working side by side as interpreter's are still waiting to relocate and enter the United States... In the Iraqi culture, if you worked for the Americans you are out-casted and considered an infiltrator and traitor… and to top it all off the radical Sunni and Shiite militia groups have publicly pledged to kill Iraqis who worked for Americans.
Congress established a Special Immigrant Visa program (SIV) in 2008 that was supposed to expedite immigration to U.S., but the program seems to have come to a standstill for security reasons, so they say, despite the fact that these particular Iraqi’s had already undergone extensive and exhaustive security checks in order to work on U.S. bases to begin with.
Tariq, our 26 year old special guest tonight, has received awards, recommendations from the an array of American employers including the Brigadier General heading his unit and several other senior officers in command… but despite Tariq’s faithful service, recommendations and job well done, he was told in June that his special visa is on “administrative hold” for 8 to 12 months because of these new security procedures… End result: This “so-called” administrative hold” has now placed Tariq in harm’s way leaving him open to assassination.
Less than 3,500 of these special immigration visas, out of the 25,000 available, have been issued, and many of those issued now face long delays or have been told their visas are canceled.
A few weeks ago Tariq lost his job as a Military translator who worked with a U.S. combat unit and with a U.S. contracting unit that checks on Iraqi subcontractors. Tariq has joined us here tonight from his home to update and inform us on the situation for the Iraqi interpreter's and sub-contractors and how their futures are not looking optimistic at all.
The I.Q.D. Team, Ltd. and all our listeners welcome Tariq and thank you for joining us in our forum tonight...
-----------------------------------------------------------
1. Tariq, you were supposed to be laid off in Aug., and due to your proven credibility and relationship with your unit, especially your Lieutenant Cornel, you were kept on until the month of October. Your Lieutenant Cornel contacted the Embassy, State Dept. and so on, in attempt to expedite your visa … What was the response you received?
(Tariq responds here)
2. Can you tell us what was told to you by an Iraqi army private the last time you were escorted out of your base?
(Tariq responds here)
3. You used to live on the Camp Victory U.S. Military Base while working as a Military interpreter… this is where you were at your safest… and now, am I correct in stating that you are currently home behind locked doors to where it has not been safe enough for you to step out of?
(Tariq responds here)
4. Can you tell us why you took this job on and then can you give us a vision of what your everyday life like now after the fact?
(Tariq responds here)
5. I know you are aware that both Presidents Bush and Obama have stated the job as an interpreter in Iraq holds specific criteria since interpreter’s work directly with the Military and support their operations. So don’t you feel that you deserve to be taken as priority in entering the U.S.?
(Tariq responds here)
6. What do you want to ask the American’s and can you tell us how we can help?
(Tariq responds here)
7. I thank you so much for being here and bringing all this information to our awareness… I know of the risk you are taking in telling us your story.
(Tariq responds here)
8. Please know that The I.Q.D. Team will do whatever is in our power to do to help make some noise in hopes that positive actions come quickly to you and mostly so that your story has a happy ending. I for one want to thank you for your services and wish you nothing but the best along with much Peace, Love & Light
(Tariq responds here)
The I.Q.D. TEAM Asks Questions and/or adds closing comments here.
How to help Tariq and those in the same position as he:
1. Contact your senator or representative. Send letters to Janet Napolitano, secretary of Homeland Security and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. Get your churches, your veterans' groups, and any group you can muster to send letters, too.
Ask why we don't have a transparent SIV process that expedites visas for those in danger, and why we haven't hired enough staff to process their applications.
You may think such letters won't help. But six senators, including John Kerry (D., Mass.) and Republican Richard Lugar (R., Ind.), have just sent a letter to Homeland Security requesting answers about why the SIVs are stalled. They should be urged to press the issue.
2. Fund groups such as IRAP [Iraqi Refugee Assistance Project], which provides volunteer U.S. lawyers to help SIV applicants. The Philadelphia law firm Reed Smith L.L.P. and students at the University of Pennsylvania Law School are helping with some of these cases.
Learn more about IRAP [Iraqi Refugee Assistance Project] here:
http://refugeerights.org
To Donate to IRAP Click Here: LINK
3. If you know anyone in the media [news, radio, paper, magazine] please contact them and ask if they can help spread this information.
4. Tariq also suggests that you contact Becca Heller from IRAP for more suggestions on how to help. E-mail: becca.heller@gmail.com
Many heartfelt thanks for any and all help you can give!
Peace, Love and Light...
Yukon, Debbie, Vic, Joey, Tim & Diana
The I.Q.D. Team, Ltd.
Visit us at: www.theiqdteam.com
email Diana@theiqdteam.com
Interview 11-8-11 with Tariq from Baghdad, Iraq
641-715-3900 Pin 730283#
(Hit 2 to Reverse 30 sec, 3 to Fast Forward 30 seconds)
Download/Playback (52 minutes)
Tariq, our good friend from Iraq who has worked with our U.S. Military for over 2 years now as an interpreter, joined us on our call tonight from Baghdad.
Many of you are already familiar with Tariq, as we have mentioned him on past calls...His life, along with the lives of interpreter's like him, IS IN JEOPARDY now that the U.S. Troops are leaving.
The 2 articles listed below are interviews of Tariq where it is explained as to why their lives are in jeopardy and what we can do to help. Please read the interviews as we are MAKING A PLEA FOR HELP!
Time is running out!
We MUST and NEED to Come Together as ONE!
Make a difference! ... Please remember..Helping & Giving is a Choice We Make That Saves Our Own Lives Too!
Diana Reads from the following News Articles & Interviews Tariq
July 24, 2011 – Philly.com Daily News [interview of Tariq]
Worldview: More tales of Iraqis who fear betrayal by U.S.
They stepped up to help American troops and civilians but now face death as "collaborators." We have to help them get their visas.
November 7, 2011 – Los Angeles Times [article by Tariq]
U.S. pullout leaves Iraqi interpreters out on limb
Iraqis who risked their lives to work for the U.S. military no longer have the protection of living on base. They want to move to the U.S., but red tape is holding up visas.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Synopsis of the above articles:
The U.S. bases in Iraq are closing, troops are coming home, and these Iraqi's now fear for their lives. Thousands of Iraqi's who have helped the American forces by working side by side as interpreter's are still waiting to relocate and enter the United States... In the Iraqi culture, if you worked for the Americans you are out-casted and considered an infiltrator and traitor… and to top it all off the radical Sunni and Shiite militia groups have publicly pledged to kill Iraqis who worked for Americans.
Congress established a Special Immigrant Visa program (SIV) in 2008 that was supposed to expedite immigration to U.S., but the program seems to have come to a standstill for security reasons, so they say, despite the fact that these particular Iraqi’s had already undergone extensive and exhaustive security checks in order to work on U.S. bases to begin with.
Tariq, our 26 year old special guest tonight, has received awards, recommendations from the an array of American employers including the Brigadier General heading his unit and several other senior officers in command… but despite Tariq’s faithful service, recommendations and job well done, he was told in June that his special visa is on “administrative hold” for 8 to 12 months because of these new security procedures… End result: This “so-called” administrative hold” has now placed Tariq in harm’s way leaving him open to assassination.
Less than 3,500 of these special immigration visas, out of the 25,000 available, have been issued, and many of those issued now face long delays or have been told their visas are canceled.
A few weeks ago Tariq lost his job as a Military translator who worked with a U.S. combat unit and with a U.S. contracting unit that checks on Iraqi subcontractors. Tariq has joined us here tonight from his home to update and inform us on the situation for the Iraqi interpreter's and sub-contractors and how their futures are not looking optimistic at all.
The I.Q.D. Team, Ltd. and all our listeners welcome Tariq and thank you for joining us in our forum tonight...
-----------------------------------------------------------
1. Tariq, you were supposed to be laid off in Aug., and due to your proven credibility and relationship with your unit, especially your Lieutenant Cornel, you were kept on until the month of October. Your Lieutenant Cornel contacted the Embassy, State Dept. and so on, in attempt to expedite your visa … What was the response you received?
(Tariq responds here)
2. Can you tell us what was told to you by an Iraqi army private the last time you were escorted out of your base?
(Tariq responds here)
3. You used to live on the Camp Victory U.S. Military Base while working as a Military interpreter… this is where you were at your safest… and now, am I correct in stating that you are currently home behind locked doors to where it has not been safe enough for you to step out of?
(Tariq responds here)
4. Can you tell us why you took this job on and then can you give us a vision of what your everyday life like now after the fact?
(Tariq responds here)
5. I know you are aware that both Presidents Bush and Obama have stated the job as an interpreter in Iraq holds specific criteria since interpreter’s work directly with the Military and support their operations. So don’t you feel that you deserve to be taken as priority in entering the U.S.?
(Tariq responds here)
6. What do you want to ask the American’s and can you tell us how we can help?
(Tariq responds here)
7. I thank you so much for being here and bringing all this information to our awareness… I know of the risk you are taking in telling us your story.
(Tariq responds here)
8. Please know that The I.Q.D. Team will do whatever is in our power to do to help make some noise in hopes that positive actions come quickly to you and mostly so that your story has a happy ending. I for one want to thank you for your services and wish you nothing but the best along with much Peace, Love & Light
(Tariq responds here)
The I.Q.D. TEAM Asks Questions and/or adds closing comments here.
How to help Tariq and those in the same position as he:
1. Contact your senator or representative. Send letters to Janet Napolitano, secretary of Homeland Security and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. Get your churches, your veterans' groups, and any group you can muster to send letters, too.
Ask why we don't have a transparent SIV process that expedites visas for those in danger, and why we haven't hired enough staff to process their applications.
You may think such letters won't help. But six senators, including John Kerry (D., Mass.) and Republican Richard Lugar (R., Ind.), have just sent a letter to Homeland Security requesting answers about why the SIVs are stalled. They should be urged to press the issue.
2. Fund groups such as IRAP [Iraqi Refugee Assistance Project], which provides volunteer U.S. lawyers to help SIV applicants. The Philadelphia law firm Reed Smith L.L.P. and students at the University of Pennsylvania Law School are helping with some of these cases.
Learn more about IRAP [Iraqi Refugee Assistance Project] here:
http://refugeerights.org
To Donate to IRAP Click Here: LINK
3. If you know anyone in the media [news, radio, paper, magazine] please contact them and ask if they can help spread this information.
4. Tariq also suggests that you contact Becca Heller from IRAP for more suggestions on how to help. E-mail: becca.heller@gmail.com
Many heartfelt thanks for any and all help you can give!
Peace, Love and Light...
Yukon, Debbie, Vic, Joey, Tim & Diana
The I.Q.D. Team, Ltd.
Visit us at: www.theiqdteam.com
email Diana@theiqdteam.com