For Immediate Release

Contact:
Judith Whitmarsh
Director of Public Policy
judy_whitmarsh@ccab.org

 

New legislation gives Iraqi immigrants same benefits as refugees

Section 8120 of the December 19th Defense Appropriations Bill (Public Law 111-118)  includes language to require recent Iraqi and Afghan allies with Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders the same status as refugees.

This change in the federal law means Iraqi and Afghani SIV holders will not be subject to a five year waiting period for Food Stamps, TANF, Medicaid and Refugee Employment Services and will have the same eligibility for SSI benefits as do refugees.  Previoiusly, SIV holders were limited to just 8 months of safety net benefits from the date of entry and then had to wait until five years elapsed to qualify again.