Iraqi refuges in Syria live with daily fear of being deported

There is a growing fear of deportation amongst Iraqi refugees in Syria, Reuters AlertNet reported today. The Syrian government has implemented more stringent immigration rules for Iraqis. Today, many of the 1 million displaced Iraqis in Syria seem to be desperately looking for certainty or a simple promise that they will not be deported to an unsure fate in their war-torn homeland.

U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres recently traveled to Syria, where he listened to the main concerns of Iraqi refugees within the country. UNHCR is currently working in Syira, distributing registration application papers, and establishing a hotline for Iraqis facing immediate deportation.

According to UNHCR estimates, 1.8 million Iraqis are internally displaced and an additional 2 million are believed to have sought asylum in neighboring countries like Syria and Jordan. Last month, UNHCR called for $60 million in aid to help provide assistance to Iraqi refugees.

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