I 
111TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 578 
To address the impending humanitarian crisis and potential security break-
down as a result of the mass influx of Iraqi refugees into neighboring 
countries, and the growing internally displaced population in Iraq, by 
increasing directed accountable assistance to these populations and their 
host countries, facilitating the resettlement of Iraqis at risk, and for 
other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JANUARY 15, 2009 
Mr. HASTINGS of Florida (for himself, Mr. DINGELL, Mr. MCGOVERN, Mr. 
DELAHUNT, Mr. BLUMENAUER, Mr. CROWLEY, Mr. HOLT, Ms. 
SCHAKOWSKY, Ms. WATERS, Ms. WATSON, Ms. WOOLSEY, Mr. 
COURTNEY, Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin, and Ms. MCCOLLUM) introduced 
the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Af-
fairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period 
to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consider-
ation of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee 
concerned 
A BILL 
To address the impending humanitarian crisis and potential 
security breakdown as a result of the mass influx of 
Iraqi refugees into neighboring countries, and the grow-
ing internally displaced population in Iraq, by increasing 
directed accountable assistance to these populations and 
their host countries, facilitating the resettlement of Iraqis 
at risk, and for other purposes. 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
22:46 Jan 20, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6652
E:\BILLS\H578.IH
H578
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with BILLS
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘Iraqi Refugee and Internally Displaced Persons Humani-
tarian Assistance, Resettlement, and Security Act of 
2009’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for 
this Act is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
Sec. 2. Definitions. 
Sec. 3. Findings. 
Sec. 4. Sense of Congress. 
Sec. 5. Statements of policy. 
Sec. 6. Humanitarian assistance for vulnerable populations in Iraq and Iraqi 
refugees. 
Sec. 7. Iraqi refugee admissions and processing. 
Sec. 8. International cooperation. 
Sec. 9. Reports to Congress. 
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) IDPS.—The term ‘‘IDPs’’ means internally 
displaced people in Iraq. 
(2) UNHCR.—The term ‘‘UNHCR’’ means the 
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for 
Refugees. 
(3) VULNERABLE POPULATIONS IN IRAQ.—The 
term ‘‘vulnerable populations in Iraq’’ includes 
IDPs, Iraqis from ethnically mixed families, women 
at risk, unaccompanied children and adolescents, the 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
00:01 Jan 22, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H578.IH
H578
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with BILLS
elderly, Iraqis with serious medical needs, survivors 
of violence or torture, Iraqis who are members of re-
ligious or other minority groups, including Chaldo 
Assyrian Christians, Sabian Mandaens, Yazidis, 
Jews, and Baha’is, and any other group determined 
to be vulnerable by the Secretary of State in con-
sultation with the UNHCR. 
SEC. 3. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
(1) Since the beginning of the war in Iraq, ac-
cording to the UNHCR, more than 2,000,000 Iraqis 
have fled their homes for neighboring countries to 
avoid sectarian and other violence. 
(2) According to the UNHCR, there are more 
than 2,700,000 IDPs, many lacking adequate food, 
shelter, and other basic services. 
(3) The security situation in several locations 
within Iraq reduces access to the Iraqi population by 
Iraqi Government agencies and humanitarian aid 
providers and greatly limits the provision of aid. 
(4) The Iraq Study group predicted that ‘‘[a] 
humanitarian catastrophe could follow as more refu-
gees are forced to relocate across the country and 
the region.’’. 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
22:46 Jan 20, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H578.IH
H578
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with BILLS
(5) The dispersion of Iraqi refugees in poor 
urban areas of host countries makes it exceedingly 
difficult for humanitarian agencies to identify and 
reach these populations. 
(6) Many Iraqis have put their lives and those 
of their families at risk by working for the United 
States Government, United States corporations, the 
United States media, and nongovernmental organi-
zations. 
(7) Since March 2003, the United States has 
resettled fewer than 20,000 Iraqi refugees, while 
Jordan and Syria have provided temporary asylum 
to 2,000,000 Iraqis, and other countries neighboring 
Iraq have received tens of thousands more Iraqis. 
(8) Since March 2003, Sweden has accepted 
40,000 Iraqi refugees, and Denmark evacuated and 
resettled 370 Iraqi interpreters and other Iraqis who 
worked for Danish troops prior to the Danish con-
tingent’s departure from Iraq in 2007. 
(9) Current United States policies governing 
the processing of refugees constrain United States 
Government agencies from expediting the screening 
processes and increasing the number of Iraqis ac-
cepted into the United States. 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
22:46 Jan 20, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H578.IH
H578
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with BILLS
(10) The massive flow of Iraqi refugees into 
neighboring host countries has overwhelmed existing 
social, economic, and security capacities of such 
countries. 
(11) While Iraqi refugees and IDPs are dis-
proportionately made up of vulnerable populations, 
many other segments of the Iraqi population at large 
are also vulnerable. 
(12) Increasing poverty and despair among dis-
placed populations may provide fertile ground for ex-
tremist ideologies to take root and possible recruit-
ment by extremist groups. 
(13) The humanitarian crisis in Iraq and neigh-
boring countries threatens to destabilize the entire 
region. 
(14) United States policy is to admit at least 
50 percent of the refugees referred by the UNHCR. 
(15) During 2008, the Government of Iraq 
dedicated $18,000,000 to its Ministry of Displaced 
and Immigration and offered $25,000,000 to neigh-
boring countries hosting Iraqi refugees. 
SEC. 4. SENSE OF CONGRESS. 
It is the sense of Congress that— 
(1) Iraqi refugees and IDPs will have an impact 
on the security of the region and the short- and 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
22:46 Jan 20, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H578.IH
H578
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with BILLS
long-term effects of their displacement should be 
considered within overall United States policy to-
ward Iraq and be addressed at the highest levels of 
Government; 
(2) it is in the United States humanitarian and 
national interests to demonstrate the United States 
commitment to resettle Iraqi refugees and IDPs and 
the United States should work with other govern-
ments, including the member states of the Organiza-
tion for Security and Cooperation in Europe, to en-
courage such governments to do the same; and 
(3) the United States should express its grati-
tude and support to host countries for providing hu-
manitarian assistance to Iraqi refugees and to coun-
tries that have already resettled Iraqi refugees. 
SEC. 5. STATEMENTS OF POLICY. 
The policy of the United States shall be the following: 
(1) To lead an initiative to provide for the relief 
of vulnerable populations in Iraq and Iraqi refugees 
in neighboring countries and to take the lead in 
funding assistance requests from the UNHCR, other 
humanitarian agencies, and international organiza-
tions by funding at levels well above the traditional 
United States share, and to assist in the resettle-
ment of Iraqi refugees. 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
22:46 Jan 20, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H578.IH
H578
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with BILLS
(2) To develop immediately a long-term com-
prehensive strategy for Iraq in coordination with the 
Government of Iraq and host countries, the United 
Nations, and nongovernmental organizations to meet 
the humanitarian and security needs of Iraqi refu-
gees and IDPs and to establish within the Executive 
Office of the President a Special Coordinator for 
Iraqi Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons to 
ensure expeditious and effective implementation of 
such a strategy. 
(3) To work with the Government of Iraq, the 
United Nations, and nongovernmental organizations 
to help the Government of Iraq improve its capacity 
and ability to provide relief for vulnerable popu-
lations in Iraq in all communities throughout Iraq 
and to provide assistance to Iraqi refugees in neigh-
boring countries. 
(4) To commit to working with international 
partners, including the United Nations, donor coun-
tries, international financial institutions, inter-
national and indigenous nongovernmental organiza-
tions, and other international organizations to assist 
in providing for the emergency, medium-, and long- 
term humanitarian needs of vulnerable populations 
in Iraq and Iraqi refugees in neighboring countries. 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
22:46 Jan 20, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H578.IH
H578
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with BILLS
SEC. 6. HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE FOR VULNERABLE 
POPULATIONS IN IRAQ AND IRAQI REFU-
GEES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subsection 
(e), with respect to vulnerable populations in Iraq and 
with respect to each country containing a significant popu-
lation of Iraqi refugees, including Jordan, Syria, Turkey, 
Lebanon, and Egypt, the Secretary of State shall provide 
bilateral assistance to such countries, as appropriate 
under United States law, or funding to international orga-
nizations and nongovernmental organizations in accord-
ance with subsection (b) that are working to provide hu-
manitarian assistance, including adequate food, shelter, 
clean drinking water, sanitation, health care, education, 
related social services, and protection to such refugees or 
populations. 
(b) ASSISTANCE
AND FUNDING.—Assistance and 
funding under subsection (a) shall be in the form of— 
(1) contributions to the UNHCR that are not 
less than 50 percent of the amount requested by the 
UNHCR and other international organizations pro-
viding humanitarian assistance to vulnerable popu-
lations in Iraq and to Iraqi refugees in neighboring 
countries, for 2009, 2010, and 2011 for aid to such 
populations and refugees; 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
22:46 Jan 20, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H578.IH
H578
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with BILLS
(2) contributions to the International Federa-
tion of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, other non-
governmental organizations, and other international 
organizations working in such countries to provide 
aid to vulnerable populations in Iraq and to Iraqi 
refugees in neighboring countries; and 
(3) technical assistance to relevant ministries of 
the Government of Iraq, contingent on substantially 
increased Government of Iraq funding of assistance 
programs for vulnerable populations in Iraq and for 
Iraqi refugees in neighboring countries, together 
with appropriate monitoring mechanisms. 
(c) SPECIAL PROVISIONS RELATING
TO VULNER-
ABLE POPULATIONS IN IRAQ AND IRAQI REFUGEES.—The 
Secretary of State shall make every effort to ensure that 
the humanitarian needs of vulnerable populations in Iraq 
and Iraqi refugees in neighboring countries are met, in-
cluding increased resources to improve the registration ca-
pabilities of nongovernmental organizations for such vul-
nerable populations and such refugees, adequate food, 
shelter, clean drinking water, sanitation, health care, edu-
cation, and protection. 
(d) AUTHORIZATIONS OF APPROPRIATIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—There is authorized to be 
appropriated $700,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
22:46 Jan 20, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H578.IH
H578
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with BILLS
2009, 2010, and 2011 to carry out this section. 
Amounts appropriated pursuant to this authoriza-
tion shall be in addition to amounts otherwise avail-
able for such purposes. 
(2) FOR JORDAN.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—In addition to amounts 
authorized to be appropriated pursuant to para-
graph (1), there is authorized to be appro-
priated $500,000,000 for fiscal year 2009 to 
Jordan to provide humanitarian assistance to 
Iraqi refugees and to provide the necessary in-
frastructure to support both the needs of Iraqi 
refugees and the Jordanian people, such as for 
housing, educational facilities, health clinics, 
improved access to water resources and sanita-
tion facilities and related social services. 
(B) COOPERATION AND MONITORING.—In 
cooperation with the Government of Jordan, the 
President shall establish appropriate monitoring 
and transparency mechanisms to ensure that 
funds appropriated pursuant to the authoriza-
tion of appropriations in subparagraph (A) are 
effectively administered. 
(e) EXCEPTION.—Direct bilateral assistance may not 
be provided to Syria. 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
22:46 Jan 20, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H578.IH
H578
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with BILLS
SEC. 7. IRAQI REFUGEE ADMISSIONS AND PROCESSING. 
(a) NUMERICAL LIMITATIONS.—In addition to the 
numerical limitations provided for under subsections (a) 
and (b) of section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality 
Act (8 U.S.C. 1157), the number of refugees who may 
be admitted during fiscal years 2009, 2010, and 2011 
under subsection (c) of such section shall be increased by 
not fewer than 20,000 for the purpose of admitting refu-
gees who— 
(1) are citizens or nationals of Iraq; and 
(2) became refugees on or after March 19, 
2003. 
(b) PROCESSING PERSONNEL INCREASE.—Not later 
than September 30, 2009, the Secretary of State, in co-
ordination with the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall, 
subject to the availability of appropriations for such pur-
pose, have increased by 100 percent the number of Fed-
eral personnel in Iraq (and in other countries in the re-
gion, where appropriate) who are conducting security re-
views of Iraqis who have applied for admission to the 
United States as refugees above the number of such per-
sonnel conducting such reviews on the date of the enact-
ment of this Act. 
(c) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
22:46 Jan 20, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00011
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H578.IH
H578
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with BILLS
necessary for fiscal years 2009 through 2011 to carry out 
this section. 
SEC. 8. INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION. 
The Secretary of State, in cooperation with the Sec-
retary of Homeland Security, shall work with the inter-
national community, including the United Nations, the 
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the 
European Union, the Gulf Cooperation Council, the Arab 
League, the Organization of American States, the Associa-
tion of Southeast Asian Nations, and others to establish 
mechanisms to provide— 
(1) financial assistance to vulnerable popu-
lations in Iraq and to Iraqi refugees in neighboring 
countries through bilateral assistance to host govern-
ments or through international organizations that 
are working directly with such populations and such 
refugees; 
(2) technical and financial assistance to inter-
national organizations in order to process refugees; 
and 
(3) increased attention to and advocacy on be-
half of vulnerable populations in Iraq and Iraqi refu-
gees in neighboring countries by continuing to 
strongly support the work of United Nations agen-
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
22:46 Jan 20, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00012
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H578.IH
H578
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with BILLS
cies and international organizations providing pro-
tection and assistance. 
SEC. 9. REPORTS TO CONGRESS. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, and every 6 months thereafter, the Sec-
retary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security 
shall submit to the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign 
Relations of the Senate a report on the implementation 
of this Act, including— 
(1) information concerning assistance and fund-
ing to host countries and international organizations 
and nongovernmental organizations pursuant to sec-
tion 6, and accountability reports regarding the ex-
penditure of such funds; 
(2) information concerning measures taken by 
the United States to increase its capabilities to proc-
ess IDPs and Iraqi refugees for resettlement and the 
number of such IDPs and refugees resettled under 
section 7; 
(3) an evaluation of the effectiveness of meas-
ures implemented by agencies of the Government of 
Iraq to provide direct assistance to vulnerable popu-
lations in Iraq and Iraqi refugees in neighboring 
countries; and 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
22:46 Jan 20, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00013
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H578.IH
H578
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with BILLS
(4) information concerning progress on the im-
plementation of the long-term comprehensive strat-
egy described in section 5(2). 
Æ 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
22:46 Jan 20, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00014
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H578.IH
H578
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with BILLS