Mike Irwin
Member
From Reuters:
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - An Iraqi lawyer who helped the U.S. military find and rescue Army Pfc. Jessica Lynch, who was held prisoner in a hospital in Iraq has been granted asylum in the United States, officials said on Tuesday.
They said the lawyer, his wife and their daughter were granted asylum in Arlington, Virginia on Monday. Further details were expected to be announced by Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge during a speech later on Tuesday.
The lawyer, known after the rescue only as "Muhammad," saw 19-year-old Lynch, who had been wounded and captured in an ambush in the early days of the U.S. invasion, lying bandaged in a hospital bed in Nassiriya and decided to help.
He reportedly walked several miles to reach U.S. Marines, and drew a map to help the rescue team find the detained soldier who was rescued on April 1 by a team of U.S. special forces under cover of darkness.
After the rescue, the U.S. military took the lawyer and his family to a refugee center then flew them to the United States, where they applied for asylum.
Successful asylum seekers must show a well-founded fear of persecution base on race, religion, ethnicity or political opinion. One U.S. official said the lawyer "met the criteria" but did not give specifics.
The lawyer will be entitled to work and live in the United States and can apply for U.S. citizenship.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - An Iraqi lawyer who helped the U.S. military find and rescue Army Pfc. Jessica Lynch, who was held prisoner in a hospital in Iraq has been granted asylum in the United States, officials said on Tuesday.
They said the lawyer, his wife and their daughter were granted asylum in Arlington, Virginia on Monday. Further details were expected to be announced by Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge during a speech later on Tuesday.
The lawyer, known after the rescue only as "Muhammad," saw 19-year-old Lynch, who had been wounded and captured in an ambush in the early days of the U.S. invasion, lying bandaged in a hospital bed in Nassiriya and decided to help.
He reportedly walked several miles to reach U.S. Marines, and drew a map to help the rescue team find the detained soldier who was rescued on April 1 by a team of U.S. special forces under cover of darkness.
After the rescue, the U.S. military took the lawyer and his family to a refugee center then flew them to the United States, where they applied for asylum.
Successful asylum seekers must show a well-founded fear of persecution base on race, religion, ethnicity or political opinion. One U.S. official said the lawyer "met the criteria" but did not give specifics.
The lawyer will be entitled to work and live in the United States and can apply for U.S. citizenship.
