How To Help Omar
EmailBob Woodruff blogs:
Some of you have asked what is being done to help Omar, the Iraqi translator who helped save my life. I have personally discussed his case with a high ranking State Department official who assured me the U.S. government is doing everything it can do help him. Major Michael Jason of the US Army, whom we interviewed in our report, is also helping to shepherd his visa application through the Department of Homeland Security and the State Department. In addition, the Council on Foreign Relations has taken up Omar’s cause and is providing him with assistance in filling out the necessary documentation to gain entry into the United States.
As much as I would have liked to bring Omar home with me, I could not. That would be illegal. Omar, like hundreds of Iraqis in similar situations, has applied for asylum through the proper channels and is waiting for the U.S. government to respond. Just last week, President Bush signed a bill increasing the number of special immigrant visas that allow Iraqi and Afghan translators to come to the United States from 50 to 500 in 2007 and 2008. I certainly hope that Omar will be among those who win one of these highly coveted visas.
Many of you have expressed an interest in helping Omar financially. We are exploring ways in which this might be possible and will update this site when we have more. Thank you for your concern for Omar.
UPDATED June 15 @ 1:40p ET: Thanks to all of you who have written to express your concern and hope for Omar, the Iraqi translator who helped save my life last year. My team is working diligently on many fronts to help Omar. In the meantime, I want you to know how touched I am that so many of you would like to help Omar financially. To that end, there is good news. We have been in contact with John McFarlane, 1st SGT (RET), US Army, who was in the convoy with us when it came under attack. This man witnessed Omar’s heroic efforts to save me. Now, McFarlane and some of his fellow US Army soldiers who served with Omar are setting up an account so that anyone who wishes to send a check or make an online donation to Omar may do so. As soon as that account is set up, hopefully within the next few days, I will let you know how you can donate. Again, thank you so much for your compassion for Omar.
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BOB: OMAR CERTAINLY DOES DESERVE TO BE HELPED. JUST HEARING HIS STORY SHOWS WHAT AN INTELLIGENT MAN HE IS AND HOW CARING. WE ALL OWE HIM A THANK YOU FOR HELPING YOU. IT IS SO GREAT TO SEE YOU BACK IN ACTION. I AM THANKFUL THAT YOU ARE HAPPY AND HEALTHY. JUST BE SURE TO STAY SAFE. MARIKAY
Posted by: MARIKAY JOHNSTON | June 13, 2007, 5:16 pm 5:16 pm
We will be waiting for your updates.
Thank you.
Margaret Henry Pokusa
Posted by: Margaret Henry Pokusa | June 13, 2007, 8:49 pm 8:49 pm
There are dozens of great Iraqi’s with similar stories and even greater need to escape to a safe country. Omar’s case should not be given special attention due to the sensationalism documented here.
Posted by: EAM | June 13, 2007, 9:20 pm 9:20 pm
This answers what I was going to suggest, that surely there’s a way we can help Omar. Please put updates on the air. If any way to help Omar becomes available America needs that information too. It’s not just Bob Woodruff’s life (although that is very important to all) it’s what Omar did for America that makes this a must do situation.
Can’t money be gotten to him in Syria???
Posted by: m k davidson | June 14, 2007, 12:16 am 12:16 am
I have a similar situation with an interpreter who worked with me in Iraq. He was seriously wounded but remains in Iraq while we try to get him cleared to immigrate to the U.S. The legislation is starting to break open to help these guys. I know there are many good Iraqis who deserve to immigrate. The interpreters are even more deserving due to their loyal service to the US Troops. I would love to hear from anyone who is also trying to get interpreters to the States.
Posted by: Edward Willis | June 14, 2007, 1:14 am 1:14 am
Please contact your Congressman and drop an email of support for Omar. Paste the ABCNews story in your email as a reference
Posted by: S. Larcher | June 14, 2007, 1:15 am 1:15 am
I want so much to say that there are really good and brave people in the worst circumstances. I was very glad to see the story on Omar and would like very much to assist him or any others like him that are in need. Please keep us posted on how to send money or assistance to help out. Omar deserves a place in the United States, he is helping us to keep ours.
Posted by: shelly Goodman | June 14, 2007, 10:45 am 10:45 am
These young men and woman of Iraq, who have put not only their lives on the line because they have aided us, our Service Men and Woman in the field, but the safety and welfare of their entire families. As our previous US President Ford did for the Vietnamees who aided our Service Men and Woman then our present US President Bush should do for these Iraqees upping from 50 per year to 500 is definately too little – BUT hopefully not TOO LATE. For me making it, at least, 2500 per year would be a better number.
Posted by: Geraldine R McDonnell | June 14, 2007, 11:05 am 11:05 am
Hiw is it possible that The President and Congress seem to be more interested in getting those who entered this country Illegally help, and are dragging their feet when it comes to getting a man like Omar into this country?
Posted by: Bob Lind | June 14, 2007, 9:05 pm 9:05 pm
Thanks for the update. I’m looking forward to info on how I can help.
Posted by: Jenna Brown | June 15, 2007, 2:00 pm 2:00 pm
I just finished reading “In An Instant” the book was remarkable as well as the strength the Lee Woodruff showed during a tragic time. I certainly would have had a breakdown. As, for Omar, he deserves to gain asylum here, beacuse to me and I’m sure others, the Woodruff’s included he is truly an “American” Hero.
Posted by: lori | June 16, 2007, 9:59 pm 9:59 pm
I am continuing to watch for updates – Please keep us posted.
Posted by: Shelly Goodman | June 25, 2007, 8:08 pm 8:08 pm
BOB:
You think that it would be this easy to contact our Congressman? Are they really able to help in getting what we really want done? What is the real story in immigrating to the United States legally? If the Iraqi translators were able to work for the United States Army and allowed to live and work with Soldiers, then why is it even more difficult to obtain a visa to the United States?
My husband has worked for the United States Army as an Iraqi translator. I currently work for the United States Army and I have put in the correct and necessary paperwork to sponsor my husband. We have been waiting since December 2006 and have faced numerous problems from the United States Embassy.
1. We have been given false information.
2. Operators from the United States Embassy have hung up the phone on my husband
3. Phone operators from the United States Embassy and the USCIS have also hung the phone up on me
4. I was denied to talk with an American consular while I was at the United States Embassy in regards to my visa petition
5. My husband was openly ridiculed about his reading ability to fellow co-workers and was treated with disrespect.
6. He was told by the interviewing officer that he would receive his visa within two weeks (it is now 6 weeks later).
There is a timeline and this timeline is undetermined. A petition can go in, but what laws govern this and who is really in charge of the overseas offices in seeing that they conduct their business in the right manner?. We can say that we are doing the right paperwork, but things can come up and you are waiting more days than you expected. You can call the National Visa Center, United States Citizens Immigration Services and they can only give you so much information. Just because your name is not in the native Roman Alphabet or even a glitch in the computers, could cause a “hit” and you just might be caught in limbo for years during mandatory security checks. Where is the credibility, what is a person to expect when trying to get members of their family or even individuals like Omar and other Iraqi citizens who have helped our nation. People who were willing to fight alongside with us to make their country strong and protect ours. To this day I,a Native American-Veteran, am trying to get my husband here to the United States.
Posted by: Vanessa Kirk | June 29, 2007, 10:43 pm 10:43 pm
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Posted by: click here | July 5, 2007, 6:58 am 6:58 am
I just finished the book “In An Instant”. It was very moving. I had a very hard time putting it down. Bob & Lee are very couragous for writing their personal feelings for the whole world to read. I am so glad you did. Your story touched my heart in many ways. I hope Bob continues to recover to his full potential and your love for each other also continues to grow. You both are an inspiration to anyone going through “tough times” in their lives. Welcome back, Bob. We missed you.
Posted by: Diane Henry | July 31, 2007, 10:15 pm 10:15 pm
This is a message to Edward Willis: You mentioned that you are trying to get some information about getting a fellow Iraqi translator to the United States. Where have you submitted your paperwork for him? How far are you in the process of this paperwork? Have you received a response from anyone who can help you?
I am still waiting for a response from the State Department for my husbands immigrant visa that we submitted Dec 2006. The case is still pending administrative process, security advisory opinion check (SAO), from the State Department in Washington, DC.
I am still calling and they tell me that it takes as long as they want. Until they are satisfied with the check and then they will submit it to the American Embassy in Cairo, Egypt.
I have already contacted six (6) Senators and two (2) Congressman. My chain of command, the Inspector General of the post, the Insector General of the State Department, the Bureau of Consular Affairs, the National Visa Center Washington, the USCIS, sent an email to the Vice President, an email to the President, and contacted two lawyers.
With patience and enduring hardship we accepted the statements of, “your petition is still pending and you just have to wait”, “we are at war with Iraq and your trying to get an Iraqi citizen into the United States”, and ” Iraqis are a sensitive issue” for eight months.
We took the immigrating officers words as, “truth” when he told husband, “your visa is approved and you will receive your visa within two weeks or less”. Now, 98 days later, we are told that the time-line for the visa issuance is difficult to predict. In addition to all this, during my husbands interview, he was humiliated and had to endure the abuse of an employee of the United States Embassy.
This is not a way to be treated, especially if we are performing in a legal way…immigrating legally to the United States of America.
Posted by: Vanessa Kirk | August 25, 2007, 6:05 pm 6:05 pm