Left Behind

Scott Pelley On The Plight Of Iraqis Who Helped The U.S.

(CBS)  How much risk? Well, like Rami, hidden behind the mask and glasses. He’s not an insurgent, but he’s in disguise because he works for America. He can be sure he’s being watched, and at the end of the day he’ll go home to his neighborhood to take his chances. Rami learned that even quitting his job didn’t protect him.

"After three months insurgents came to my neighbors and they were asking about me and my location," he remembers. Rami then decided it was time to leave Iraq. "You know, I had a family member, was working with me, as a translator, in the same base. And he got killed," he explains.

The family member had quit more than two years earlier, before being targeted by the killers. After that, Rami says he had to flee to Syria.

Flee, like so many others. At the Syrian borders, one can see caravans of cars leaving Iraq and heading towards Syria; no one is going the other way. The border post has been mobbed. There were about 1,000 people on the day 60 Minutes stopped by. It's a refugee crisis that is largely unnoticed by the world.

The exodus of Iraqi refugees is one of the most under-reported stories of the war. The United Nations estimates that as many as two million Iraqis have left the country already and at various times over the winter they were coming across the border at a rate of 3,000 a day.

Syria has an open door policy and many neighborhoods in Damascus are becoming Iraqi. But there’s a catch: the Iraqis are not supposed to work here and many are going broke. The U.S. is spending about $40 million this year to help the refugees in the region but it doesn’t go far. Next door in Jordan, most Iraqi men are being turned away and some are being deported.

One man 60 Minutes met had overstayed his visa and had nowhere else to go. He told Pelley that if he was found out he'd be returned to Iraq, where he'd get killed.

Killed, because he used to work for the Mississippi National Guard; his leg was shattered in an attack on that unit two years ago.

Where is he going to go?

"I don't know. We went to the U.S. Embassy. And we asked them for our help," he says.

He says he explained to them he had worked for the National Guard unit and was wounded in battle. "The first time, yes, the first time we called them we told them we are translators. We're working with the U.S. Army in Iraq and we got injured. And we can't go back to our country. She said, 'Okay, you know the danger when you work with the U.S. Army. And ask the Army to give you a visa.' That's it," he remembers.

How many Iraqis, like this translator, worked for America? No one is certain, but by our tally it’s at least 100,000. Add their families and you’re well over a half a million people at risk. How many of them have been allowed to immigrate to the United States? About 100.

That is slowly changing. This January, the new Congress held hearings on the refugees. A few weeks later, the State Department said it would consider 7,000 applications. Assistant Secretary of State Ellen Sauerbrey is in charge of that program.

"I want to make it clear that this is a first of what will be an ongoing process. We're not -- we have no cap. We have no quota. And we have no limits on the compassion of the United States to accept refugees," Sauerbrey tells Pelley.

"You know, even if the number ultimately becomes larger than 7,000 in a year, these are tiny numbers compared to the need. I mean, at the present time you have two million already displaced. 7,000 doesn't sound like much," Pelley remarks.

"Let's put it in perspective," Sauerbrey replies. "Most of these people don't want to be resettled in a third country. Most of these people really want to go home."

"The people we've talked to want to come to the United States because they feel like they're marked for death back home," Pelley says.

"Certainly there are some that are very vulnerable. And that's what the resettlement program is about," she replies.

Asked how many Iraqi refugees we can expect to come into this country annually from this point forward, Sauerbrey says, "Our understanding this year is that we will be probably actually receiving into the country perhaps somewhere in the neighborhood of two to three thousand."

[janessa9]

I totally agree with ICWright12''s comment posted today Sept. 2, 2007 regarding Scott Pelley. It was a terrible interview. He was so accusatory. Who does he think he is? Thank God we have Marines like Sgt. Frank Wooldridge (sp).

[Lawson Wright]

Where in hell did Scott Pele (sp) get the permission to accuse an American for doing his duty? What do you think we did in WW-2, on every point we didn''t HESITATE. He should have to serve 2 yrs. in IRAQ !!!!!!!!!

[sms8755]

I am willing to help. My home is open to provide a place for these refugees to come. If someone reads this who can direct me to the right place, I would be happy to provide a place.

[kwinckler]

While the Iraqi translators who sided with the US forces need to be protected, the answer is not to send them to America. They are exactly the people who need to stay in Iraq to promote the values that we have been fighting for. If they all come to the US, who will be left in Iraq except those that want to spread the extremist religious views. Set up a "Green Zone" for them and let the Iraqi military protect them.

[omajoyce-2009]

I understand the sense of abandonment that Rami and others like him must feel; but, when they are members of a religion that''s main tennant is to kill all non-believers, I fear them. This is NOT the same as Vietnam. Their religion is their law and they cannot swear allegiance to our nation, our flag and our laws without violating their religion. Their conflict would be bad for us and them.

Muslims have been fighting a religious war in the Middle East for over 2,000 years, with no resolution and continuous conflict. I prefer it stay in the Middle East. Yes, it is selfish; but, we do not need to import more separatism.

I believe the US does owe these persons and their family some resolution to their problems, but it is not relocation to the US. Dare I say it, compensation to live in another Muslim nation, until and when the situation in Iraq is resolved (if ever it can be resolved?) would not be out of the question - yes I would be willing to pay the taxes to support such a retirement. I have a great concern for my family, country, friends, and neighbors that we are asking for additional trouble to bring these persons with such a strong religious affiliation into this country. How can these people practice their religion here and not practice acts against our nation''s people and national interests?

[r0721743]

So "Rami" and thousands of other Iraqis are being hunted by the insurgents and want the U.S. to rescue them. Why don''t they join the Iraqi military and fight for this cause they supposedly believe in? "Rami" and his companions made a well paying choice to fight for the cause, unlike the American troops dying in Iraq daily.

[kelly_a76]

I work as the director of a refugee resettlement office and I am beginning to hear more and more of these stories. I am contacted daily by family members who have loved ones in Jordan, Syria, Turkey, Indonesia as well as many who are still in Iraq and therefore are not considered refugees according to the UNHCR. More shocking still is that immigration has created a "special immigrant visa" for several hundred Iraqis who worked closely with the US government. However, that status will not necesarily confer any benefits that refugees ordinarily get such as cultural orientation, food stamps, cash assistance during the initial months, medicaid, employment assistance and general guidance from an agency like the one I work with. It is simply a disgrace.

[truthspeake2]

Their first lesson in "Democracy"...Hypocracy!

[kathygei]

This story really tugged at my heart. Isn''t there someone we could write to and show some public outcry? We must help these translators we have abandoned.

[mc_trump]

they brought in 150,000 boat people from vietnam it was the right thing to do then as it is now, and if you are worried about the cheap labor then just deport that many illegal mexicans what have they ever done to help our country.

[sharncedar]

This reminds me of the Vietnam war where they brought in some millions of cheap labor, I mean poor refugees, from Vietnam. Upon arrival, they immediately set about their customary business, which was to create gangs and go on a crime spree. We still have the gangs and chaos from these, the worst and most violent and most ignorant, of the Vietnamese.

I guess Bush and his friends want to create a whole new gang system of former Iraqi traitors and riffraf here in the US. That''s real smart, what an amazing, smart, well run country! What a bunch of genius administrators we have, sure makes me feel secure! Now let''s lower that Fed rate, the rich need to get richer!

[mcvet]

Scott Pelly is doing the dirty work of the insurgents. There will be a special place in Hell for you Scott. Or perhaps you have an eye on 70 virgins?
Posted by taks4 at 05:28 AM : Aug 27, 2007
+ report abuse

A TRUE believer huh? Sparky we are going to leave that country the only question is if we can manage to get it done with our Dictator on the job. You fascist have never liked the fact that the PEOPLE in this nation make the rules and THEY have decided we are leaving... Now I''d like for you to tell us, if you can muster enough brain power, who would you like to determine what we hear and see in this country. You OBVIOUSLY do not like the FREE Press and attack anyone who doesn''t hold to the Party Line when putting out the news so what would you like to do about it. Should we go ALL the way back to what you clowns wanted when Jefferson first put pen to paper and allow the KING to appoint someone to approve the news? Should we have a Propaganda Minister like your Hero, Hitler? Just how would you do it? Sieg Heil Bush!!

[brianbwb-2009]

"Left behind" implies "we" are leaving. We''''re not leaving so we cannot be leaving anyone behind. Posted by taks4"

Wishful thinking, Taks, we will sooner or later (hopefully sooner) be out of there, and you will be on the front lines of the "don''t let the Muslims in" faction, agreeing that they not be allowed in. Like I said before, that is what they get for selling their brethren to a known liar.

[taks4]

"Left behind" implies "we" are leaving. We''re not leaving so we cannot be leaving anyone behind. This is the kind of slanted Liberal journalism that CBS as a whole perpetrates to undermine the efforts of our soldiers and emboldens our enemies. If Scott Pelly cared about the Iraqis he speaks of in his piece, which he doesn''t, he would recognize that any Iraqi who is considering cooperating with our troops is now going to think twice about helping us should they listen to this 60 Minutes segment. Scott Pelly is doing the dirty work of the insurgents. There will be a special place in Hell for you Scott. Or perhaps you have an eye on 70 virgins?

[brianbwb-2009]

Posted by lugarbow,

Actually, we also didn''t declare war on Vietnam, either.

But back to the point, that is what they get for trusting a known liar, and selling out their own people.

Colin and Condoleeza, (Uncle Tom and Aunt Condi) take note, sooner or later it will be your turn.

[joyseann]

Isn''t this typical of the Bush administration. They do not know the meaning of loyalty. Look at their track record. They don''t even take care us in our need. Case point: New Orleans after Katrina. I am so glad he won''t be back. He is a disgrace as an American President.

[lugarbow]

This is the first time the United States in its history has ever attacked a soverign Nation without a declaration of war!! Think about it. Not one Iraq person was ever found as taking part in 9/11. Most where from Bushes oil buddies in Saudia Arabia. Do your homework!!! WE do not belong there, we only create more mistrust and are looked at as being as bad as Russia during the 50,s until the late 90''s. We need highways, better schools, new bridges, health coverage for all americans. We should mind our own business!! And our home land security was created AFTER bush attacked Iraq.

[meep8]

It''s all very well and good that we are told what is happening to the former translators and US ''helpers'' in Iraq, but we aren''t given any information about how to help these people. I think it''s disgraceful that they are being dumped after they helped our soldiers. Could this be part of the reason the insurgents are gaining such a stronghold?

[lugarbow]

Iraq had NOTHING to do with 9/11. The United States treated the American Indians the same way, we are great at using people!! They saved many American lives, and should be shown the same respect that our military foot soldier is shown. Bush cares less about them and there welfare. This will come back to us the next time we are asked for help and we turn our backs again!! What shame this country and the Bush administration has heaped upon us!!!!!!!!!!

[tlread]

60 Minutes
If you hanen''t read AMERICA ALONE by Mark Steyn you are doing our country a great disservice and failing to see what is happening.
We need the truth, the facts and stop putting off what the Islamists are doing. We are not perfect but we will be distroyed if we don''t act imediately.