SIV ief policy.docxHikmat BabakPolicy ief outline Professor: Jennifer Shea, Ph.D.November 15,...

Question

SIV ief policy.docxHikmat BabakPolicy ief outline Professor: Jennifer Shea, Ph.D.November 15, 2018Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs)SIV stands for Special Immigrant Visa. While there are many categories of SIVs, I will like to discuss only SIVs for eligible Iraqi and Afghan translators/interpreters and employees who have worked directly with the U.S. Armed Forces or under Chief of Mission (COM) authority at U.S. Embassy Baghdad or U.S. Embassy Kabul.On June 15, 2007 U.S. president J.W Bush signed into a law Section 1059 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006, authorizes the issuance of up to 50 Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) annually to Iraqi and Afghan translators and interpreters working for the U.S. military and who meet certain requirements. An amendment to Section 1059 expanded the total number of visas to 500 per year for FY 2007 and FY 2008 only. In FY 2009, the number of visas available for this category reverted to 50 annually. As amended, the Act provides for SIV status for eligible Iraqi or Afghan translators and interpreters, who have worked directly with the U.S. Armed Forces or under Chief of Mission (COM) authority at the U.S. Embassies in Baghdad Kabul.                     Law:        Information about the Law:        1        Section 1059 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006 (Public Law XXXXXXXXXX)        This law allowed up to 50 Iraqi and Afghan translators/interpreters who worked for the U.S. Armed Forces to receive special immigrant visas (SIVs) each fiscal year (FY). This law was later amended and now provides SIV status for eligible Iraqi and Afghan translators/interpreters who have worked either directly with the U.S. Armed Forces or under Chief of Mission (COM) authority at U.S. Embassy Baghdad or U.S. Embassy Kabul.        2        Public Law 110-36        This law, which then-President Bush signed on June 15, 2007, amended the law above by expanding the total number of SIVs issued to Iraqi and Afghan translators/interpreters working for the U.S. military to 500 a year for FY 2007 and FY 2008 only.        3        Public Law XXXXXXXXXX        A provision of this law applies only to cases in which petitions for SIV status as Iraqi or Afghan translators/interpreters who worked directly with the U. S. Armed Forces or under Chief of Mission authority for at least 12 months were filed before October 1, 2008. It authorized the continued processing and adjudication of these applications even though the annual limit of 500 visas had already been reached.        4        The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008 (Public Law XXXXXXXXXXof December 26, 2007)        This law initially made Afghan and Iraqi SIV holders eligible for the same resettlement assistance, entitlement programs, and other benefits as refugees admitted under the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program for up to six (6) months from their date of admission or date of adjustment if applying domestically. The period of eligibility was later extended under subsequent legislation. See these two laws below.        5        The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 (Public Law XXXXXXXXXXof January 28, 2008)        This law extended the period of eligibility of Iraqi SIV holders for resettlement assistance, entitlement programs, and other benefits to up to eight (8) months from their date of admission or date of adjustment if applying domestically.        6        The Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009 (Public Law 111-8 of March 10, 2009)        This law extended the period of eligibility of Afghan SIV holders for resettlement assistance, entitlement programs, and other benefits to up to eight (8) months from their date of admission or date of adjustment if applying domestically. For Afghan SIV holders already in the U.S. to be eligible for uninteupted benefits for an additional two (2) months beyond the original six months (6) allowed under previous law, you must have been admitted to the U.S. on or after September 10, 2008, or if applying domestically, have a date of adjustment of September 10, 2008 or later.Stakeholders:· Department of State· Department of Health · Department of Human Services· Federal Government · Congress · Nonprofits Policy Stage:  Implemented Policy Theory: Political Perspective of new administration visa policies, and restrictions affected SIV.https:travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/siv-iraqi-afghan-translators-interpreters.html Hi Hikmat,This is a very ief reply as I was about to log off of the forum after having commenting on all others. I urge you to read my general comments to the class, which I'll post momentarily, as well as read through comments I made on others' posts for additional insights.In short:· You seemed to have sufficiently naowed your topic and specific policy area· Don't forget to explicitly identify the policy problem 1059 and its amendments were meant to address· Further specify stakeholders in oad categories like Fed govt, Congress, and Nonprofits.· Identify the 'client' you are writing this policy ief to, and identify its purpose (beyond an academic one)· Disentangle specific policy theories from the political perspective and be sure to apply those in your analysisGood luck with it.Let me know if you have questions,JennifePA715 Policy ief stakeholder analysis F18-converted.docxPUBLIC ADMINISTRATION PROGRAMPA 715: POLICY PROCESS AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT FALL 2018Policy Brief Stakeholder Analysis Assignment DescriptionPrimary AssignmentDue: November 30th, 6pm, Medium & Length:· Written analysis of 2-3 pages, typed with a 12-point font, double-spaced, with 1 inch margins on all sides.· Note: If you are working with a classmate on the policy ief, you should also work with that person on this assignment, so that you would submit just one stakeholder analysis for the two of you.Percent of Final Grade: 10%OverviewA key step in the political analysis of a public policy issue is the identification and assessment of key actors (stakeholders) in the process. Now that you have experience conducting stakeholder analysis for the previous assignment, you will apply the course’s literature to assess the interests, actions, and policy influences of stakeholders for the policy issue you are researching for the final policy ief assignment for this course. You will include some of this stakeholder analysis in that final policy ief.InstructionsYou may organization your analysis as you wish (e.g., by stakeholder, by level of influence, by policy stage), but it should include at least the information that follows. You may also use tables or diagrams to complement your written analysis, so long as you to integrate those into the naative discussion.1. Policy problem: A ief description of the policy problem and where it is in the policy cycle. Include, if applicable, any competing policy solutions being debated.2. Descriptions of the stakeholders· Identification: Who are the key actors for this policy issue? Which one(s) will be the ‘client’ you write your policy ief paper for?· Preferences: What do each of these actors want (e.g., a specific policy solution, policy expansion, evaluation)? Why?· Leverages: What leverages could each wield in the policy process? Is there evidence that they wield such powers? How, or why not? Has any stakeholder dominated a particular stage of the policy process?3. Analysis of the stakeholders· Conflicts: What are the main conflicts among the key actors? Are there conflicting goals, (Page 1 of 2)or conflicting powers? Are there checks onpowers?· Existing and potential common ground: Are there coalitions of key actors? Why or why not? Is there the potential (or need) for coalitions to be formed?· Influence: Who are the most influential actors in this policy issue? What makes them so influential?· Diagnosis: Given the above analysis, what options does your ‘client’ have in order to get what they want for this policy?As you answer the above questions, draw upon our course literature on policy actors to analyze the stakeholders’ actions and their influences. You should cite at least 5 relevant sources from our readings (including books reviewed by classmates).Keep in mind that you will have to do substantial research to conduct a thorough stakeholder analysis. Much of that research may not fit into this paper (or into the final policy ief); be judicious in identifying key actors and explaining why they are important and influential (or how they can gain influence if that is what is needed).Info about assignment.docxMy topic is for policy ief is Special immigration visa SIV https:travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/siv-iraqi-afghan-translators-interpreters.html Sources:https:www.humanrightsfirst.orgesource/afghan-special-immigrant-visa-programhttps:www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/special-immigrantshttp:www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/12/11/afghans-who-worked-for-u-s-government-make-up-growing-share-of-special-immigrant-visa-recipientshttps:www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2018/07/trump-immigration-crackdown-visas/565949http:nooneleft.orgPaper-Policy Brief Stakeholder ass.docxHikmat BabakPA XXXXXXXXXXPolicy Process and Civic Engagement November 30, 2018Policy Brief Stakeholder Analysis Assignment Description 1. Policy problem: The U.S government has been offering Special Immigrant Visa (SIV). While there are many categories of SIVs; this policy paper will focus on 50 SIVs for eligible Iraqi and Afghan translators/interpreters and employees who have worked directly with the U.S. Armed Forces or under Chief of Mission (COM) authority at U.S. Embassy Baghdad or U.S. Embassy Kabul. In the 2007/2008 fiscal year, the federal government increased the number of SIVs available for Iraqis and Afghans to 500. In 2009 the federal government reverted the number of SIVs available for the two nations to 50. The 50 slots are not enough to accommodate thousands of the Afghans and Iraqis whom their lives are treating for supporting the U.S. operations in their countries. Human Rights First XXXXXXXXXXobserved that by March 31, 2018, 11,640 Afghan principal applicants and 12,067 of their family members were still waiting at some point in the application phase with less than 4,000 visas available. With the high demand of SIVs from the U.S wartime allies, the federal government should consider increasing the number of SIVs to 500 or higher to benefit more members from these two countries with resettlement and entitlement programs.  2. Descriptions of the stakeholders:In the key stakeholders for SIV programs available for the Iraqis and Afghans are the federal government and Congress. The federal government through the Congress can pass the law to increase the number SIVs. The U.S. military operations Afghanistan have been ongoing. The federal government cannot complete its mission there without involving soldiers, cultural advisors, logisticians, embassy clerks, security guards, engineers, and Afghan translator. Many of the U.S. allies and their families face death threats for associating with the U.S. military and government It is the duty of the federal government the American friends, a promise that it made in 2009.The Afghan Special Immigrant Visa program represents a promise that the federal government made to the American wartime friends. Based on that promise is not only vital to maintaining support of the Afghan people, it is important to completing the U.S mission in Afghanistan and other future wars in which the U.S. may be engaged. Likewise, as the

Akansha · Accepted Answer

Special Immigrant Visa-Policy Brief
18 | Page
Hikmat Babak
PA 0715-01 Policy Process and Civic Engagement 
Professor: Jennifer Shea, Ph.D.
Draft, December 13, 2018
Special Immigrant Visa
Contents
2Introduction
2Overview
3Description of the Policy
3Background of the Policy
4Problems faced in the Policy
6Policy Issue
6Policy Cycle
8Stakeholders
9Role of Stakeholders in Policymaking
10Influence of Stakeholders in the Policy
11Policy Theory
12The Domestic Interest Theory
14Engagement Plan Strategy
15Comparative advantages of the policy
16Stakeholders’ Mobilization
16Civic Engagement
18Conclusion
19References
Introduction 
 The following report is being addressed to the main client of this policy, i.e. the International Rescue Committee. This is a non-profitable and non-governmental organization which helps in aid, relief and development of the Afghani and Iraqi nationals that resettle in the US. This organization helps in cash assistance and other benefits for the SIV applicants for a period of 90 days upon arrival. It focusses on health, education and well-being of the applicants and their families. They ensure long-term assistance to the refugees and helps them to be self-enough. The given report identifies a policy and discusses it in detail. The selected policy for the report which is the SIV, Special Immigrant Visa policy was established in the year 2006. The people of Afghanistan and Iraq who have been working tirelessly for the U.S. government can avail the benefits of this policy and settle in the U.S. The policy aims to make the applicant self-sufficient by helping them with small amount of money for at least 6 months of resettling.  The Afghan translators and interpreters are forced to leave their country, due to terrorism, constant attacks by the Taliban, and frequent cases of kidnapping and killing. They need a place to settle and find employment to take care of their families. The SIV policy aims to provide the demanded settlement to such immigrants. Many agencies and stakeholders are helping people in this process. This report will discuss the description and background of the policy, the stakeholders associated; and the strategies and necessary steps that can be implemented for further improvement.
Overview 
The SIV policy aims to resettle the Afghani and Iraqi nationals in the US. The policy issues 50 visas in one fiscal year, to those applicants who have served the US military forces for at least a year, or have been serving on other jobs. The following report illustrates the description of the policy, what is its current status, what problem the policy is facing, what initial problems the applicants have to face during their resettling period and what can be the implementations and recommendations to improve this program.
Description of the Policy
The SIV program began as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2006 and Public Law 110-181. The number of principal applicants eligible for SIV policy in one fiscal year is only 50 visas. These applicants who have worked 12 months under the U.S. government as interpreters and translators come under the Chief of Mission (COM) approval authority.  Since then, it has been reauthorized numerous times. The requirements are stringent: Applicants must have completed at least two years of faithful service to U.S. forces and then undergo a 14-part application process. SIV recipients must demonstrate that because of their service to the United States, their lives are in ongoing and danger. A petition form I-360 needs to be signed by the principal migrant for resettling in the U.S. The Afghans, who works for the U.S. military, are in great danger as the Taliban and other groups continuously threaten them. The risk of being kidnapped and targeting due to their service to the U.S. military and government is also forcing these individuals to flee their country and there is a continuous urge in the Taliban to continue with kidnapping and killing translators and interpreters. In order to escape from this problem, the Afghans planned to migrate from their country along with their families. Also, there is a lot of economic crisis too in Afghanistan which forced the Afghans to settle in the US. The U. S’s Special SIV program helps such people to come out of their danger zone and settle down in another country peacefully (Crosnoe & Fuligni, 2012).
Background of the Policy
All personnel who work for the United States military are eligible to avail themselves of the SIV policy. They need to fulfill a certain eligibility criterion to immigrate, such as an individual must have at least 12 months of employment with the U.S. military. Also, Congress amended few laws in 2006, according to which, personals working genuinely with the U.S. government are eligible to avail the SIV policy. All such individuals who have worked for at least 1 year as a translator or an Interpreter with the US government are a part of the SIV program. Under this policy, a maximum of 50 SIVs is issued to personals and their families. There is another program which was created under Section 602 B, according to which the Afghans who have worked at least for one year in Afghanistan for the U.S. government can also be a part of the SIV program. Subsequently the requirements are stringent: Applicants must have completed at least two years of faithful service to U.S. military and government.  In 2009, the Program decided not to allot more than 1500 visas to the applicants. But the increasing threats in Afghanistan have forced to increase this number gradually. Security and terrorism are a major threat to the SIV applicants. The reason why highly skilled people apply for SIV is that the Taliban majorly attack people who are working at renowned positions in Afghanistan.  Permission was granted to over 3000 SIV applicants in 2014, which soon increased to 7000 in 2017. If the immigration application limit is increased, it is carried over to the next fiscal year. Under the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008, a number of 2500 of visas will be allocated to the principal applicants. this program will not end until all the visas have been allocated. This program has tremendously been popular among the Afghans. But there are a lot of pending applicants waiting for their SIV visa. The applicants along with their families want to move from their country as soon as possible. Due to a sudden rush of so many applicants, there is a huge backlog of pending applications waiting for approval (Creedon, 2014). 
Problems faced in the Policy
Though the U.S. government has helped the Afghans by launching this SIV policy, there are various problems faced at both the levels.
· The Secretary of State Rex Tillerson directed American embassies around the world to double down on visas and “increase scrutiny of visa applicants for potential security and non-security ineligibilities.” Since then, there’s been a stark decline in SIV arrivals. From January to June of 2017, 10,267 immigrants came to the U.S. on special immigrant visas. Over the same period in 2018, the number had fallen by more than half, to 4,166. Thus, many applicants lose a chance to immigrate, and they must spend more time in Afghanistan where there is a lot of threat they face from the Taliban. also, prime factors which are creating a sense of insecurity amongst the Afghans.
· There is a feeling of lack of security among the Afghans who are immigrating to the U.S. They feel that they might not be socially accepted. Those people who get the visas and move have to face a lot of social unacceptance when they land in the US. They are devoid of general information required to drive their lives. Their struggle can be in the form of getting menial jobs, or sometimes, unemployed for a longer period of time, cultural differences etc. so, the Afghanis need to be mentally prepared for accepting such challenges.
· The movement of so many Afghanis leaves their country in a state of dilemma. It gives a huge impact on the economy of Afghanistan which in future deteriorates their economic development. All the intelligent will walk off from the country leaving it baseless.
· Many people immigrating to the U.S. will gradually increase their population as well. This will lead to the scarcity of resources, jobs etc. Obviously, people in the US will be given a preference over jobs, which will affect the sentiments of the Afghans. The main concern that would arise would be the security of Afghans. Both, the US and Afghanistan government should consider these problems, and solve them as early as possible. They should try to improve the relations between the two countries, which might ruin if necessary, actions are not taken ("US Afghanistan policy: regional aspects", 2017).
Policy Issue
The SIV policy aims at protecting the Afghans and Iraqis from the threat they receive from Taliban due to their involvement and services being offered to the US government. Only 50 applicants were allowed to migrate to the US in one fiscal year. Under the Defense Act for FY2018, 3500 visas were allocated as signed by President Trump for a total of 14500 visas allocated since December 19,2014. Many people have been able to live a peaceful life under this SIV program. Just two years of services to the US and a 14-step application process, and the applicant can avail the benefits of the policy. A petition form needs to be signed by the applicant in order to avail this policy. But in so many years, the policy has faced some issues too. Bureaucracy and mismanagement are the two factors, which has always resulted in the pendency of the applications. At some places, it can be observed that the US is a faithless friend. Here have been 1000 interpreters who have been killed by the Taliban while their applications were still in process. Although the policy promises a waiting time of just 9 months, there are times, in 2014, when applicants had been waiting for four years. Though the Afghans have tirelessly served their duties, they are still not getting justice (Ehlke, 2010).
Policy Cycle 
The SIV policy was founded in 2006 under the Defense Authorization Act and Public Law 110-181. Initially, it used to allow a maximum of 50 applicants to migrate to the US along with their families. The increasing threat in Afghanistan increased this number to 7000 in 2017. It’s now been declared that a maximum of 8500 applicants will be approved till 2020. After they migrate, the Afghans are allowed to stay for approx. 8 months in the US under the Refugee Act.

SIV brief policy.docx Hikmat Babak Policy brief outline Professor: Jennifer Shea, Ph.D. November 15, 2018 Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) SIV stands for Special Immigrant Visa. While there are many...

Solution

Answer To This Question Is Available To Download

Related Questions & Answers

Submit New Assignment