Iraqi student evacuated Ukraine P2 (USRAP) program

[Alaa0x1 0]

Hello everyone,

 

Today I have a complicated case and I need your advice in what should I do.

 

I'm Iraqi citizen, I left Iraq years ago to Ukraine because my family worked with the U.S and allies in Iraq and we got threatened because of that.

 

I have an immigration case on USRAP p2 program since 2017 and still waiting for interviews.

 

I used to live in Ukraine on a student temporary resident permit.

 

After the war I evacuated from Ukraine to Germany but my P2 case is on IOM Eurasia which is based in Kyiv Ukraine, I tried to contact them many many times by phone and email but nothing happened.

 

I contacted the German office but they said they cannot help me.

 

A congressman contacted them and they responded about my case that they put all Iraqis P2 cases on hold and they're processing only Ukrainians at this time.

(I don't expect much from the USRAP anymore, I mean I'm waiting since 2017!)

 

I'm really lost right now and Germany immigration office told me I have until May 23 .

 

I need your help what should I do, which visa can I apply for?

 

I cannot go back to Iraq, and I cannot go back to Ukraine.

 

I'm Iraqi passport holder and I have Ukrainian temporary student resident permit.

 

 

Thanks

[Chancy 6,241]

*** Moved from US Immigration News to General Immigration-Related Discussion ***

 

[millefleur 5,046]

You need to go somewhere where you can be safe. If Germany does not want to extend your stay as a refugee, perhaps try another European country?

[Alaa0x1 0]

23 hours ago, millefleur said:

You need to go somewhere where you can be safe. If Germany does not want to extend your stay as a refugee, perhaps try another European country?

Thank you for your answer.

I don't think there's a point of going anywhere else, since all EU like this, I just want to know if there's a specific type of visa I can apply for to the U.S from here from Germany.

I work with an American company as a software engineer, We're a remote small company so everyone is working remotely, I don't know if that can be helpful.

Best.

[millefleur 5,046]

10 minutes ago, Alaa0x1 said:

I don't think there's a point of going anywhere else, since all EU like this, I just want to know if there's a specific type of visa I can apply for to the U.S from here from Germany.

My understanding is that without a visa, you won't be able to enter the US unless you request asylum at the border. This is popular at the Mexican border, but keep in mind they are prioritizing Ukrainians at the Mexican border too.

 

 

10 minutes ago, Alaa0x1 said:

I work with an American company as a software engineer, We're a remote small company so everyone is working remotely, I don't know if that can be helpful.

If you're a software engineer, you can try going to the work visa route. The reason I suggested finding a way to stay legally in Europe is because whether it's a work visa or your original refugee route, none of these options will be fast. You will have to wait out the process somewhere, that's just how it is. Your temporary Ukrainian residency permit does not give you any special privilege as far as the US is concerned. It might have some sway over EU authorities since you are fleeing Ukraine. All EU countries are different. Just because Germany said no does not mean another will say that. You don't want to end up in a situation where you are staying somewhere illegally. Worst case scenario, leave the EU and go to Turkey or some other country where you might find it easier to stay legally.

 

If you really have nowhere to go once the end of May comes, you can try requesting asylum at the US border. It's inherently risky, though, and there's no guarantee of how long you could get stuck there. Reports are that it is very chaotic and many people are crowded and waiting there for months. Another idea is to reach out to NGO's inside the US who maybe specialize in helping Iraqis or other refugees, they can give you better advice than most people here, as on VJ we don't see a lot of refugee cases.

Edited April 15, 2022 by millefleur

[Alaa0x1 0]

9 minutes ago, millefleur said:

My understanding is that without a visa, you won't be able to enter the US unless you request asylum at the border. This is popular at the Mexican border, but keep in mind they are prioritizing Ukrainians at the Mexican border too.

 

 

If you're a software engineer, you can try going to the work visa route. The reason I suggested finding a way to stay legally in Europe is because whether it's a work visa or your original refugee route, none of these options will be fast. You will have to wait out the process somewhere, that's just how it is. Your temporary Ukrainian residency permit does not give you any special privilege as far as the US is concerned. It might have some sway over EU authorities since you are fleeing Ukraine. All EU countries are different. Just because Germany said no does not mean another will say that. You don't want to end up in a situation where you are staying somewhere illegally. Worst case scenario, leave the EU and go to Turkey or some other country where you might find it easier to stay legally.

 

If you really have nowhere to go once the end of May comes, you can try requesting asylum at the US border. It's inherently risky, though, and there's no guarantee of how long you could get stuck there. Reports are that it is very chaotic and many people are crowded and waiting there for months. Another idea is to reach out to NGO's inside the US who maybe specialize in helping Iraqis or other refugees, they can give you better advice than most people here, as on VJ we don't see a lot of refugee cases.

Thank you for the information.

I have U.S B1/B2 visa rejected in the U.S back in 2019, and I heard if you have U.S visa rejected you cannot enter Mexico, one of my Iraqi friends went to Mexico 3 years ago and he got deported from the airport just because he had U.S visa rejected, I don't know about the current situation, but It would be very bad for me to go to Mexico and they might deport me back to Germany and then Germany deport me to Iraq.

[millefleur 5,046]

1 minute ago, Alaa0x1 said:

I have U.S B1/B2 visa rejected in the U.S back in 2019, and I heard if you have U.S visa rejected you cannot enter Mexico, one of my Iraqi friends went to Mexico 3 years ago and he got deported from the airport just because he had U.S visa rejected, I don't know about the current situation, but It would be very bad for me to go to Mexico and they might deport me back to Germany and then Germany deport me to Iraq.

Then the Mexican border situation looks out of the question.

 

You should find a place to stay legally, whether it's Germany or another country - anywhere - that is safe, until you can wait out either your original refugee processing or a work visa.