The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have issued a bulletin reminding Iraqis Nationals that the U.S. government’s authorization for their Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program will expire on September 30, 2013. This SIV program was setup for Iraqis Nationals who worked for or on behalf of the U.S. government in Iraq. Individuals and their family members applying under this program must be admitted to the U.S. or adjust status before October 1, 2013.
The U.S. Embassy in Iraq’s website states, “We recognize that many who have been employed or worked on behalf of the U.S. government in Iraq, and their families, face real threats as a result of their U.S. government affiliation. We take these threats, and the concerns of those who work with us, very seriously and we are committed to providing them with the benefits for which they are legally eligible.”
For more information on the Iraq SIV program, please check the USCIS website or call their National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283. You can also find other useful information about the Iraq SIV program on the U.S Embassy in Iraq’s website.
The Department of State is working with interested members of Congress to try to extend this deadline but as of now the deadline is September 30, 2013!
Source of Information:
- USCIS.gov, 8/29/13, Bulletin: Special Immigrant Visa Program for Iraqi Nationals Who Worked For or On Behalf Of the U.S. Government to Expire Sept. 30, 2013
- USCIS.gov, 7/09/08 ,News Release: USCIS Announces New Special Immigrant Visa for Certain Iraqi Nationals Who Worked for the U.S. Government
- Iraq.usembassy.gov, 7/20/12, Web: End of Iraqi Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) Program