The Pentagon announced yesterday that it is creating a list of Iraqi citizens who helped the US Military to decide if they deserve an exemption from the controversial 90-day immigration ban implemented by executive order by President Donald Trump.
The Pentagon was asked by the White House to compile such a list of Iraqis who should be exempt from the ban. This could be any who took ‘tangible actions’ to aid US forces, including translators, linguists, and drivers, spokesman Navy Captain, Jeff Davis revealed. Davis says that the White House has given them the opportunity to suggest names and they want to make sure those who made a tangible commitment to fight with the US are put forward for inclusion in any future process.
The attempt to make exempt Iraqis who worked for the US from the new immigration ban follows outrage from many veterans over Iraqi translators being detained at airports in the US during the weekend. They also highlight the complicated nature of the policy that was issued with a scarcity of federal agency input. The Pentagon is also assessing other potential impacts of the ban, including a retaliatory ban on US citizens issued by the Iraqi parliament.
According to Davis, The Pentagon does not know how many Iraqi citizens will be on the recommended exemptions list, or the time it will take to compile. The Department of Homeland Security will make the ultimate decision on exemptions.