S. 3541 would address the impending humanitarian crisis and potential security breakdown as a result of the mass influx of Iraqi refugees into neighboring countries and the growing internally displaced population in Iraq by increasing directed accountable assistance to these populations and their host countries and by facilitating the resettlement of Iraqis at risk.
Detailed Summary
Iraqi Refugee and Internally Displaced Persons Humanitarian Assistance, Resettlement, and Security Act of 2008 - Expresses the sense of Congress concerning Iraqi refugees and internally displaced persons.
Directs the Secretary of State, with respect to vulnerable populations in Iraq and with respect to countries containing a significant population of Iraqi refugees (including Jordan, Syria, Turkey, Lebanon, Egypt, and Iran), to provide such countries or appropriate international organizations and nongovernmental organizations with specified humanitarian assistance.
Directs the Secretary to make every effort to ensure that the humanitarian needs of vulnerable populations in Iraq and Iraqi refugees in neighboring countries are met.
Authorizes appropriations to Jordan for humanitarian assistance to Iraqi refugees and to provide the necessary infrastructure to support both the needs of Iraqi refugees and the Jordanian people. Requires that related fund monitoring mechanisms be established.
Increases refugee admission limitations for the purpose of admitting Iraqi citizens or nationals who became refugees on or after March 19, 2003.
Directs the Secretary, by a specified date and subject to the availability of appropriations, to have increased by 100% the number of federal personnel in Iraq and in other appropriate countries who are conducting security reviews of Iraqi refugee applicants.
Directs the Secretary of State to work with the international community to provide: (1) financial assistance to vulnerable populations in Iraq and to Iraqi refugees in neighboring countries; and (2) technical and financial assistance to international organizations in order to process refugees.
Defines "vulnerable populations in Iraq" to include internally displaced persons.
Status of the Legislation
Latest Major Action: 9/23/2008: Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
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