This is a press release worth looking at, and a case worth knowing about. A group called the Iraqi Refugee Assistance Project and the Freshfields law firm (yes, a law firm, not a grocer) have launched a lawsuit against Secretary of State John Kerry and others “on behalf of nine Iraqis in mortal danger as a consequence of their work on behalf of U.S. forces in Iraq.” I have quoted from the press release. I will keep quoting:

Amongst the nine Iraqi Plaintiffs are several former interpreters, as well as a doctor, an engineer, and other contractors, all of whom worked side-by-side with U.S. forces. All nine demonstrated their loyalty to the U.S. mission through their service, and in so doing rendered themselves targets for retaliation by extremists.

They are trying to get to the United States. In 2008, Congress established the Special Immigrant Visa program, precisely to help people like them. There has been additional supporting legislation since. But these Iraqis have been blocked by red tape, inattention, or something.

IRAP’s director said, “Every passing day spent in this bureaucratic limbo makes our allies less likely to live to see their visas issued. With this lawsuit, we aim not only to save the lives of the nine individual Plaintiffs, but also to set a clear precedent that the Administration cannot continue to ignore laws passed by Congress.”

The director continued, “Today, thousands of Iraqis who worked in direct support of U.S. military personnel are stranded with applications pending. The rise of the Islamic State and the deterioration of the security situation in Iraq have only intensified the threatening conditions that first compelled Congress to create the SIV program.”

A Freshfields partner said, “Our clients and their families live in constant, mortal fear of retribution for the vital support they provided to soldiers, government workers and other U.S. citizens in harm’s way. We are confident that the Court will hold the Defendants accountable and require them finally to follow the sensible instructions of Congress and act on our clients’ visa applications.”

I believe we have been guilty of dishonor in Iraq in the last several years. The current president looked at Iraq and said, “Eek, George Bush,” and turned his back on that country, eventually rendering the sacrifices of our people for nought. In an interview with me two days ago, Senator McCain said, “Barack Obama wanted out.” When administration officials tell you “that they tried to leave a decent force behind, a stabilizing force, they are lying, and I don’t say that very often.”

Let’s at least not compound dishonor with dishonor. When we turned our backs on South Vietnam, we allowed many of our allies to escape death and live among us. We allowed a few to scramble up onto the helicopter, so to speak. How about doing the same for some Iraqis, starting with these imperiled nine?