The Real Problem with Refugee Immigration

(Part 2 – Personal Background)

After listening for several months about the refugee immigrant dilemma, I cannot sit back and listen to it any more without commenting.
I have a very strong background that can offer great truth and insight to this topic.

Background:

Back in 2007, I was working in the US Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, under a Chief-of-Mission program. There were ten of us who were contracted to oversee this program, which was to organize the opening of the New Embassy Compound (NEC) in Baghdad’s Green-Zone. The current embassy at the time was working out of Saddam Hussein’s presidential palace.

The NEC was recently finished and almost ready for occupancy. Our mission was as follows:

1. Design and construct the man-camps for the support staff to live in as only the US State department personnel were allowed to live   in the apartment complex. Man-camps were built of flat-packs (a basic shipping container [8’ x 20’] that was collapsible for shipment. The support staff alone was well over 500 personnel.
   These living containers were a far lower quality of life than the state department staff in regards to size, amenities, private showers [none], etc.
2. Design and construct the giant warehouse that held every supply one could imagine to keep a miniature city alive and running at 100% efficiency; all in a very limited footprint, as well as maintaining an orderly traffic flow into and out of said structure –
   (This was my design – quite proud of it)
3. Formulate a procurement list of every conceivable tool and material (bench stock and more) that this small self-sustaining city would need at a moment’s notice.
   You see, in a war zone, getting supplies was a very big deal and sometimes took months to achieve. Add that to the immense paperwork the government requires, and it becomes a huge project that took four of us thousands of hours to complete, vet, and submit
4. Develop a staffing requirement to maintain the Embassy to include recruiting operations in 5 countries, trade and occupational staffing breakdowns, support and admin staff, operations, and overlap to cover R+R’s
5. Develop a detailed logistical plan for a smooth transition to new embassy to include office breakdown and set-ups, communications and internet set-up, hardware and office furniture, etc.., all while not interrupting the operations in any significant way
6. Develop a recruiting operation in several European and African countries to staff the Baghdad Embassy

Just at with my previous 2+ years in Baghdad, we were always under heavy fire from Al-Qaida and local militants. We had rocket propelled grenades, mortars, car bombs, and sniper fire on a daily basis. These were the conditions we had to operate under at all times. There were many times we could not go anywhere without wearing our full PPE (Personal Protective Equipment – Helmet, Vest), even a walk to the latrine or shower.

So what does this have to do with the current situation of refugees?

Well, until you have seen the after-effect and massive carnage of a car bomb or the like, one has no idea of the catastrophic destruction it causes, not just in body count, but the mental and emotional effects it has on the survivors and the ancillary support persons (first responders, quick reaction forces, and cleanup crews).

99.999% of Americans have not been subject to this horror, and it certainly gives one a unique and QUALIFIED perspective.

Just the actions of one single terrorist is enough to warrant the strongest objections to this current desire to bring in persons who may or may not be terrorists.

Part 2 discusses my background as a recruiter and the background checks the US Government did for the staff I hired.
(To be added later today – 22 Nov 15)