U.S. Admits Over 12,000 Iraqi Refugees

WASHINGTON, DC - The United States has surpassed its goal of resettling 12,000 of the most vulnerable Iraqi refugees in this fiscal year. As of Friday, September 12, 2008, 12,118 Iraqis have been admitted to the United States as refugees.

In addition, 870 Iraqis received Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) between October 1, 2007 and August 31, 2008. (The number of SIVs issued to Iraqis in the first ten days of September is not yet available.)

Moreover, U.S. Government humanitarian aid for Iraqi refugees, conflict victims and internally displaced persons has risen to more than $318 million for this fiscal year (from October 1, 2007 until today). The United States has been the largest contributor to programs assisting displaced Iraqis since 2003, funding programs for food, health, education, water and sanitation, emergency shelter and protection.

U.S. Government Funding for Humanitarian Assistance to Iraqis – FY 2008 & 2007
(in millions)