GAO
United States Government Accountability Office
Report to Congressional Committees
IRAQIraqi Refugees andSpecial Immigrant Visa Holders FaceChallenges Resettlingin the United Statesand Obtaining U.S.GovernmentEmployment
March 2010GAO-10-274
What GAO Found
United States Government Accountability Office
Why GAO Did This Study
H
ighlights
Accountability Integrity Reliability
March 2010
IRAQ
Iraqi Refu
g
ee
s
and
S
pecial Immi
g
rant Vi
s
a Holder
s
Face Challen
g
e
s
Re
s
ettlin
g
in the United
S
tate
s
andObtainin
g
U.
S
. Government Employment
Since the February 2006 bombingof the Al-Askari Mosque in Samarathat triggered the displacement of thousands of Iraqis, the UnitedStates has taken a lead role inresettling the displaced. Theadministration has indicated itsintent to assist those Iraqis whosupported the United States in Iraq.In addition, Congress authorizedthe Departments of Defense (DOD)and State (State) to jointlyestablish and operate a program tooffer temporary employment toIraqi special immigrant visa (SIV)holders in the United States.This report provides informationon the (1) status of resettled Iraqisin the United States and the initialchallenges they face, (2) benefitsafforded Iraqi refugees and SIVholders, and (3) challenges theyface obtaining employment withthe federal government. GAOconducted this review under theComptroller General’s authority.GAO analyzed data on Iraqirefugees and SIV holders in theUnited States, and laws andregulations on the benefits affordedto them. GAO also analyzed U.S.government employment and personnel security requirements.GAO interviewed officials from fivekey agencies regarding theserequirements.This report does not containrecommendations. DOD providedofficial comments. State and theDepartments of Homeland Securityand Health and Human Services(HHS) provided technicalcomments. GAO incorporatedthese comments, as appropriate.
Between fiscal years 2006 and 2009, the United States admitted 34,470 Iraqirefugees under State’s Refugee Admissions Program. In addition, State issued4,634 SIVs to Iraqis pursuant to two programs, established by Congress to helpIraqis who previously worked for the U.S. government in Iraq. Resettlementagencies, working under cooperative agreements with State, have resettledIraqis throughout the United States but particularly in California andMichigan. These agencies have found that Iraqis arrive in the United Stateswith high levels of trauma, injury, and illness, which contribute to thechallenges they face in resettling in a new country. In addition, entry-level jobsnormally available to refugees are scarce and more competitive in the currenteconomic downturn. Iraqi refugees generally have high levels of education,according to U.S. officials and representatives from the resettlement agencies.Nevertheless, Iraqis have struggled to find entry-level employment in theUnited States.Iraqi refugees and SIV holders are eligible for resettlement assistance and public benefits upon arrival in the United States. State provides resettlementagencies $1,800 per person to cover basic housing, food, and assistance foraccessing services during their first 30 days in the United States; however,support may continue for up to 90 days if basic needs have not been met.Refugees automatically receive these benefits; Iraqi SIV holders must elect toreceive them within 10 days of receiving their visas. In addition, qualified Iraqirefugees and, as a result of December 2009 legislation, qualified SIV holderscan receive certain assistance for up to 7 years through public benefits programs. Prior to December 19, 2009, Iraqi SIV holders’ eligibility for publicbenefits generally ceased after 8 months. Both groups can also receive up to 8months of cash and medical assistance from HHS if they do not qualify for public benefits. In addition, HHS funds social services, including job preparation, English language classes, and assistance with job interviews, forwhich Iraqi refugees and SIV holders may be eligible for up to 5 years.Iraqi refugees and SIV holders, including those who acted as interpreters andlinguists for civilian agencies and military commands in Iraq, have limitedopportunities for federal employment. Most federal positions in the UnitedStates require U.S. citizenship and background investigations; certain positions, including most positions related to Arabic or Iraq, also requiresecurity clearances, which noncitizens cannot obtain. However, GAO dididentify positions at DOD’s Defense Language Institute and State’s ForeignService Institute open to qualified noncitizens. Finally, State and DOD havenot established the temporary program intended to offer employment to IraqiSIV holders under authority granted the agencies in fiscal year 2009legislation. Although both agencies have positions requiring Arabic languageskills, neither identified any unfilled needs that could be met by employingIraqi SIV holders through this joint program.
View GAO-10-274 or key components. For more information, contact Joseph A.Christoff at (202) 512-8979 orchristoffj@gao.gov.
Page i GAO-10-274
Contents
Letter
1
Background 3 Iraqi Refugees and SIV Holders Arrive under Three Different U.S.Programs and Face Challenges upon Arrival in the United States 5 As of December 2009, Iraqi SIV Holders Are Eligible forResettlement Assistance and Public Benefits to the Same Extentas Refugees 12Iraqi Refugees and SIV Holders Face Challenges in Obtaining U.S.Government Employment 16 Agency Comments and Our Evaluation 20
Appendix II Initial Resettlement, by State, of Iraqi Refugees andSpecial Immigrant Visa Holders, Fiscal Years 2006through 2009
Tables
Table 1: Iraqi Refugee Admissions to the United States, FiscalYears 2006 through 2009 6Table 2: Special Immigrant Visas Issued to Iraqis, Fiscal Years 2007through 2009 8Table 3: Arabic Language Positions in the United States at DODand State for Eligible Noncitizens, as of November 6, 2009 19Table 4: Initial Resettlement, by State, of Iraqi Refugees andSpecial Immigrant Visa Holders, Fiscal Years 2006 through2009 27
Iraqi Refugees
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GAO | March 2010 | Iraqi Refugees and SIV Holders
GAO report dated March 2010 - Iraqi Refugees and Special Immigrant Visa Holders Face Challenges Resettling in the United States and Obtaining USG Employment.
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