BILL TO EXPEDITE HELP FOR IRAQI REFUGEES INTRODUCED IN CONGRESS

By Miriam Raftery

March 25, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) - A bill introduced this week by San Diego Congressional members Juan Vargas, a Democrat, and Duncan Hunter, a Republican, would provide expedited processing for religious minorities in Iraq/Syria.

Mark Arabo, a spokesman for Iraqi Chaldeans in America, worked with the Congressmen on the measure to help saves lives of those threatened by ISIS forces.  He says, "This piece of legislation introduced by our local delegates is a turning point in the genocide of the Christian people,” Arabo said. “The passage of H.R 1568 is a matter of life or death to my people. From this point onwards, my only goal, and commitment is towards garnering Congressional support for this bill. The lives of thousands stand precariously in the balance until this act sees the light of day.”

The Protecting Religious Minorities Persecuted by ISIS Act of 2015 could provide refugee status for thousands stranded by America’s failure thus far to process refugees in the danger-prone region. Arabo plans a trip to Washington in mid-April to lobby Congress and the White House on the measure.

The bill currently has emerged with strong bipartisan support throughout the nation with numerous Republican and Democratic co-sponsors, Arabo said in a press statement.

The bill will essentially cut the waiting time for processing and allow victims to apply directly to the U.S Refugee Admissions Program with heightened level of status.