American dream eludes Iraqi refugees

Washington: Two years ago, Firas Safar was a successful Baghdad printer, winning contracts with US authorities to produce brochures for aid missions, posters for army units, and several million copies of the new Iraqi constitution. Today Safar, 31, is a jobless refugee in Takoma Park, Maryland, part of a new wave of professional Iraqis who have received special immigration privileges because, in many cases, their work for US authorities or organisations resulted in threats or violence back home. For many such as Safar, it has meant trading economic security in Iraq for personal security here. He, his wife and two small daughters just moved into a tiny apartment. Half-opened suitcases spill off the bed, and toys are jumbled on a donated crib. Safar's most valuable possession is a laptop computer that contains images of his... [read full story]