Two veterans groups have voiced concern over the recent Trump executive order that suspends immigrant and non-immigrant visas from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Sudan, Syria, Yemen and Somalia, suspension of the refugee resettlement program. The groups are particularly concerned over suspension of priority resettlement and special visas for Iraqis who worked with the American military, government, and other American entities in Iraq.
The political action committee, VoteVets , has called on President Donald Trump to rescind the visa restrictions and provide aid for military interpreters. The committee’s chairman Jon Soltz said in a statement, “Iraqi interpreters put their lives on the line to help troops.”
Among the interpreters affected is Hameed Khalid Darweesh, who was detained after arriving at JFK International Airport. Darweesh work as an interpreter, engineer and contractor with the Army’s 101st Airborne Division in Baghdad and Mosul from 2003 to 2013.
He went through two years of interviews and security screening to obtain a special immigration visa to bring himself and his family to the United States. He was released Saturday night after an order filed on his behalf by ACLU. When speaking to press after his release, Darweesh stated, “America is the land of freedom. I’m very thankful and very happy.”
Vets for American Ideals also issued a letter urging Trump to reconsider his executive order. The letter stated the stories of refugees and others being detained as “unjust, arbitrary, and cruel.”
Coming out especially against the suspension of priority resettlement and special immigrant visas for Iraqis who risked their livers to work with the American military the letter added “many veterans can point to a moment when one of our foreign allies saved our lives.”
Protesters against the executive order have been present at JFK International and airports around the country, some among them are veterans. Jeffery Buchalter of Chesapeake, Md., who served as a military policeman for two tours in Iraq and protested the executive order at Dulles International Airport, said regarding the executive order, “this is not what we fought for.”