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Iraqi Refugees in Connecticut

http://cptv.vo.llnwd.net/o2/ypmwebcontent/Chion/do%20130319%20Iraqi%20refugees.mp3

On the tenth anniversary of the start of the Iraq War, refugees continue to flee their country for the U.S.  More than 650 Iraqis have resettled in Connecticut since 2007, 400 in the New Haven area.

Imad Al Mallack arrived in January. Speaking through an interpreter, he says he left Iraq with his wife and two young children because its so unsafe.

"Very bad security situation. Car bomb. They have a lot of bombing in Baghdad."

Al Mallack worked as a driver and security guard in the city of Erbil. Here in Connecticut, despite struggles to learn English and find a job, he says he’s happy.

"I just feel secure. It's so good for me. I’m so happy because I feel secure."

Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services organization is helping Al Mallack’s family made the transition to life in New Haven. 

Iraqi refugees come from a variety of backgrounds. The majority are well-educated, says Deputy Director Kelly Hebrank.

"They were working in the Green Zone, they were assisting U.S. troops. They put their lives at risk and that’s what made them refugees in most cases."

She says engineers and teachers often end up working in lower level jobs in the U.S.

"When they realize how difficult it is to learn a new language and a new culture and take a job that’s many steps below what they might have had back in Iraq, they’re doing it for their kids future."

IRIS is one of three resettlement agencies in Connecticut working with Iraqi refugees.  

Diane Orson is a special correspondent with Connecticut Public. She is a reporter and contributor to National Public Radio. Her stories have been heard on Morning Edition, All Things Considered, Weekend Edition, Here and Now; and The World from PRX. She spent seven years as CT Public Radio's local host for Morning Edition.

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SOMOS CONNECTICUT es una iniciativa de Connecticut Public, la emisora local de NPR y PBS del estado, que busca elevar nuestras historias latinas y expandir programación que alza y informa nuestras comunidades latinas locales. Visita CTPublic.org/latino para más reportajes y recursos. Para noticias, suscríbase a nuestro boletín informativo en ctpublic.org/newsletters.

The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.

Connecticut Public’s journalism is made possible, in part by funding from Jeffrey Hoffman and Robert Jaeger.