Iraq’s Displacement and Migration Minister Evan Fayaq (File)
2021-06-24
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SULAIMANI — Iraq’s Displacement and Migration Minister Evan Fayaq on Thursday (June 24) criticized the US policy of forcing failed asylum seekers who have not obtained citizenship in the US to return to Iraq, despite continued threats against them or minimal connection with their country of nationality.
The issue was dramatically highlighted in the summer of 2019 by the death of Jimmy Aldaoud in Baghdad.
Born in a Greek refugee camp to Iraqi parents, he lived most of his life in the US state of Michigan. Deported to Iraq without identity documents or medicine to treat his diabetes, he died alone and desperate in the Iraqi capital on August 2.
Thousands of others with similar backgrounds, including many Christians, are at risk of deportation if the US does not change its policy, several experts told NRT at the time.
During an official visit to the country along with Minister of Planning Khaled Battal, Fayaq met with Biden administration officials to discuss range of issues, including the deportees, according to a statement released by the ministry.
Fayaq stressed the need to improve the mechanisms for dealing with the cases of Iraqis present in the US in a way that preserves their dignity and protects their rights.
US officials said that Iraqis will be given privacy by the US administration in accepting their requests, the statement added.
(NRT Digital Media)