There are not too many things on which milblogger Blackfive and I agree, but here is one:
The State Department has made a decision to make an Iraqi translator, Jasim, wait another three years for a visa. One of the reasons that the denial was issued was that, Jasim, as part of the Kurdish Peshmerga, infiltrated Uday Hussein’s organization to steal data and then stole Uday’s car to escape. He was captured, tortured, and then released six years later when Saddam let all the prisoners go on the eve of the Invasion in 2003.
The theft of Uday’s car is looked upon as criminal and not political.
“On several occasions while our guys were putting rounds down range, Jasim put himself in harm’s way to pull the wounded out and treat them,” Keene said. “Jasim is a hero to everyone he has ever met.”
After the invasion, Jasim became a legendary translator, assisting above and beyond.
“I owe my life to Jasim … hands down,” said Master Sgt. Jason Krieger, who went on over 200 combat patrols with Jasim. “I consider him a brother, not only in arms, but in love as well.”
More information is available at Fox News, where reporter Joel Mowbray has an article about Jasim’s plight.
Contact information for the State Department, from Blackfive:
Here is the link to the contact email form.
The main switchboard phone number is here: 202-647-4000
The Press Office is (202) 647-2492
Contact Congress.
Cross-posted at Comments from Left Field.
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