Alyaa's asylum with guest host Maiken Scott

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Listen to the mp3

September 19, 2011 — In unstable Iraq, thousands of Iraqis who worked with U.S. military during the war face the threat of kidnapping or violence in retaliation. One young Iraqi woman who worked as a translator has received asylum here, thanks to a dogged lawyer and an American veteran who refused to forget her.

Guest host Maiken Scott talks about Alyaa Abood who worked as a translator for Philadelphia lawyer Patrick Murphy when he served in Iraq. Murphy later became the first Iraq veteran elected to Congress. Abood risked her life when working in a war zone and was threatened by extremists for this work. Members of her family were assassinated and kidnapped. After Murphy left Iraq, he asked a fellow lawyer, Elena Park of Cozen O'Connor, to take on Alyaa's case and bring her to safety. We also hear from a local volunteer who is working with Iraqi refugees stuck in visa limbo. Janice Kelsey is part of "The List Project".

---

Name (required)

Mail (will not be published) (required)

Website

• Cultural denial and child sex abuse

• Strings or no strings? Sexual hook-up culture

• Greed