In a war zone the help of
accurate translation can mean the difference between life and death. Over the
last decade good translators in Iraq and Afghanistan have saved countless
American lives. Every war recruited people who were fluent in whatever language
that was spoken by the enemy and this
war was no different except in the compensation department. It seems that the
United States has failed to thank our translators abroad and at home. Why did
things go more smoothly after other wars in the past?
Ask any veteran and they will
tell you that translators risk their own lives and are responsible for the
accurate translation of locations and enemy doings. At times our helpers are
found out and must leave quickly for their safety. That is the time when it is
our turn to help them. America is failing these people. It has been known that
a shocking number of Visas have been stuck in bureaucratic limbo for these most
valued foreigners. Why can’t we get
these people safely to our country?
There is no reason for the
delays. Congress passed Bills in 2008 and 2009 providing thousands of Special Immigrant Visas to local nationals
who worked with the United States Military but despite huge demand , very few
were issued. Why? Must America be a complete embarrassment? Through the
Afghanistan Bill we could have given out 1500 Visas per year. In 2011 we only
gave out three. The number of Afghans who risked their lives for us should not
be so low that relatively stupid toddlers could count them all.
Things have improved slightly
thanks to specials interest groups like The List Project putting pressure on
our government to move their asses and help these Allies. It should not be
nearly impossible to help our Allies. They should have immediate help because
they are an essential part of our team. The State Department puts blame on the
applicants themselves. To apply for a special Immigrant Visa is a 14 step
process which is a ridiculously lot of paper work since they should be just
whisked to safety somewhere.
Getting off Heroin is only a 12
step process. After filling out a slew of proof of employment forms known as a
DS-157 you must wait up to a year for that to be processed then if you are
still alive there is the Petition Stage where you need the I-360 form to bring with the other forms to a
interview at the Embassy which they have stopped scheduling lately. The program is scheduled to expire at the end
of the year anyway. Should we still be proud to be American at this point?
Giving some hope is the DX-260
form which asks why you wish to come to the United States. Well right now they
are running away from ISIS too. The form asks if you are intending to practice
polygamy. Is there really time here to discuss one’s sex life? You are almost
done with the paper work that is after you get the Visa interview, medical
examination, security clearance and paying out of pocket for Passports, vaccinations
and plane tickets, you get to maybe come to America.
America has done this much better
before. After the Vietnam War they settled 140,000 refugees in just 4 months. Then
we took people quickly to a safe place like Guam and in safety processed them
for entry to America. Why aren’t we giving good people a safe haven somewhere?
Where are the Egyptians that Bush likes to save after 911 and hold hands with?
Some Afghanistan refugees have been waiting three years to come to America and
during that waiting period they are witnessing their families getting murdered.
Visas have already expired in
Iraq and Afghanistan is scheduled to expire their program December 31. No
wonder our soldiers return in deep depressions having to leave good people who
kept them alive behind.
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