The United States government has backed away from blocking Iraqi Special Immigrant Visa holders from traveling to the U.S., saying they will be permitted into the country despite a ban on travelers from the country.
Iraqis who worked with the U.S. military and government, including with USAID and other agencies, were eligible for the special visas due to the severe personal safety risks linked to their jobs. But after the immigration suspension was announced late last week, SIV holders were told by the U.S. Embassy and International Organization of Migration that they were being barred from the United States.
On Wednesday morning, the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad called SIV holders and told them they would be permitted to travel. The embassy also announced they would “continue to process and issue SIVs to applicants who are otherwise qualified,” according to an email sent to SIV holders and applicants and seen by Devex.
About the author
Abigail Seiff@instupor
Abby Seiff is a reporter focused on human rights, land issues, and politics. She has been covering Southeast and South Asia since 2009, working previously for Devex and freelancing for Time, Newsweek, Al Jazeera, and others. She graduated from the University of Chicago with a degree in anthropology.
