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Close Window Vice Consul Elizabeth Lawrence looks on as Ambassador Ryan Crocker presents Embassy Baghdad’s first Special Immigrant Visa. (Photo by Public Affairs Section, U.S. Embassy Baghdad.)
Vice Consul Elizabeth Lawrence looks on as Ambassador Ryan Crocker presents Embassy Baghdad’s first Special Immigrant Visa. (Photo by Public Affairs Section, U.S. Embassy Baghdad.)
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Vice Consul Elizabeth Lawrence looks on as Ambassador Ryan Crocker presents Embassy Baghdad’s first Special Immigrant Visa. (Photo by Public Affairs Section, U.S. Embassy Baghdad.)
Vice Consul Elizabeth Lawrence looks on as Ambassador Ryan Crocker presents Embassy Baghdad’s first Special Immigrant Visa. (Photo by Public Affairs Section, U.S. Embassy Baghdad.)

Embassy Baghdad’s First Special Immigrant Visa (SIV)

On February 18, Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker personally issued Embassy Baghdad’s first Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) to an Iraqi local employee.  Ambassador Crocker described the visa as a “way of living up to our commitments to you for all you have done for Iraq and for U.S.-Iraqi relations.”  The Ambassador acknowledged “mixed emotions” as he told America’s newest immigrant, “On one hand, we are happy to start you on a new life, but we are also extremely sorry to see you go.”   Monday’s SIV was the first immigrant visa issued by the Embassy since reopening in 2004.  The SIV program allows current Chief of Mission employees to apply locally for immigration instead of traveling outside of Iraq.