Iraqi Refugees: Jordan Imposes Harsher Visa Restrictions
Friday, February 15, 2008
Earlier today, the State Department announced a contribution of more than $125 million to “help provide displaced Iraqis protection and assistance.” This new money will go towards funding the UN agencies that are currently providing food, medical care and schooling for the millions of displaced Iraqis. This is welcome news in light of the inattention and underfunding these programs have dealt with since taking on the plight of Iraqis in Syria, Jordan and those displaced within Iraq.
However, the U.S. must continue to increase its engagement on the issue of Iraqi refugees with Iraq’s neighbors as regional governments struggle to respond to the large influx of refugees.
Yesterday, the government of Jordan imposed further visa restrictions on Iraqi’s seeking to enter their country. While this decision was troubling in terms of its impact on the safety of Iraqis trying to flee violence in their country, it was not surprising. Jordan has been hosting a significant number of Iraqi refugees since 2006, placing a major burden on their economy and infrastructure.
What is disappointing however is the complete absence of leverage the United States government has with its ally Jordan regarding this decision. In the past, the US has been able to utilize diplomatic pressure and financial incentives to entice countries to undertake policies that they may otherwise be reluctant to enact. However, the continued absence of high level diplomatic and financial support for Jordan and Syria -- countries hosting the vast majority of Iraqi refugees -- leaves the administration with little ability to urge these countries to remain open to Iraqis.
Even more disheartening is the impression that the White House does not want these countries to receive Iraqis, as it undermines the rosy picture they are trying to create about the security situation inside Iraq. President Bush has made stability and security in Iraq the cornerstone of his legacy. Yet his continued reluctance to address the large scale displacement crisis threatens that very legacy. By publically acknowledging the refugee crisis and by marshalling US diplomatic engagement with Syria and Jordan to alleviate the burden on those countries, President Bush can begin to right a historic wrong. While the influx of new money from the State Department is welcome, it is also not enough. Leadership from President Bush is crucial and the funding of these UN appeals should just be the tip of the iceberg. Otherwise, the Iraqi refugee crisis will be another humanitarian catastrophe that took place ‘on his watch’.
--Jake Kurtzer
However, the U.S. must continue to increase its engagement on the issue of Iraqi refugees with Iraq’s neighbors as regional governments struggle to respond to the large influx of refugees.
Yesterday, the government of Jordan imposed further visa restrictions on Iraqi’s seeking to enter their country. While this decision was troubling in terms of its impact on the safety of Iraqis trying to flee violence in their country, it was not surprising. Jordan has been hosting a significant number of Iraqi refugees since 2006, placing a major burden on their economy and infrastructure.
What is disappointing however is the complete absence of leverage the United States government has with its ally Jordan regarding this decision. In the past, the US has been able to utilize diplomatic pressure and financial incentives to entice countries to undertake policies that they may otherwise be reluctant to enact. However, the continued absence of high level diplomatic and financial support for Jordan and Syria -- countries hosting the vast majority of Iraqi refugees -- leaves the administration with little ability to urge these countries to remain open to Iraqis.
Even more disheartening is the impression that the White House does not want these countries to receive Iraqis, as it undermines the rosy picture they are trying to create about the security situation inside Iraq. President Bush has made stability and security in Iraq the cornerstone of his legacy. Yet his continued reluctance to address the large scale displacement crisis threatens that very legacy. By publically acknowledging the refugee crisis and by marshalling US diplomatic engagement with Syria and Jordan to alleviate the burden on those countries, President Bush can begin to right a historic wrong. While the influx of new money from the State Department is welcome, it is also not enough. Leadership from President Bush is crucial and the funding of these UN appeals should just be the tip of the iceberg. Otherwise, the Iraqi refugee crisis will be another humanitarian catastrophe that took place ‘on his watch’.
--Jake Kurtzer
Labels: Iraqi Refugees
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