Special Immigrants in the United States

Special Immigrants and Refugees

A definition of Special Immigrants, in the context of refugee resettlement and non-emergency repatriation, may be provided here: Under section 1059 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), up to 50 Iraqi and Afghan translators working for the U.S. Military have been eligible for Special Immigrant Visas (SIV) each fiscal year. Public Law 110-39, signed into law on June 15, 2007, amended section 1059 by expanding the coverage to certain translators working under civilian authority and by increasing the total number of principal beneficiaries from 50 to 500 for fiscal years 2007 and 2008 only. Special Immigrants are admitted as Lawful Permanent Resident aliens (LPRs). Special Immigrants are eligible for refugee cash, medical and service benefits as well as other public benefits during their first 8 months after arrival to the same extent, and with the same requirements as refugees.

Resources

See Also

• Refugee Resettlement
• Non-Emergency Repatriation