From the Ravages of War, a New Start
Their Lives Endangered in Iraq, Judge and Family Find a Refuge In Suburbs of N.Va.

By Francine Uenuma
washingtonpost.com
Thursday, November 20, 2008

Iraqi judge Radhi H. al-Radhi lives in a quiet neighborhood in Alexandria. His brick rowhouse is on a street where U.S. flags hang and mini-gardens blend together.

Inside, the house is simply furnished. Pictures of his children and Asian art acquired during travels adorn the walls. The house carries the aroma of the meal being prepared in the kitchen, and an action movie plays on the television. It's a typical Saturday afternoon in Northern Virginia.

It's a peaceful moment for a man who said his work as head of post-war Iraq's anti-corruption efforts for the Coalition Provisional Authority resulted in death threats, missile attacks that destroyed his Iraqi home, and resistance from Iraqi and U.S. officials.

Al-Radhi is a soft-spoken man whose calm demeanor belies the intensity of his experiences. Jailed twice during Saddam Hussein's regime, he said he supported the initial invasion, but there is "so much corruption now. The money is gone, billions and billions. There is no electricity, no water in Iraq."

A little more than a year ago, al-Radhi testified before Congress about the corruption in his country, a bold move that made him a controversial figure. His words were debated by lawmakers and covered by the media. He decided it was too dangerous to return to his native Iraq and, at 62, he sought asylum in the United States.

Al-Radhi is one of many Iraqi refugees who call Northern Virginia home. Vu Dang, regional director at the International Rescue Committee's Suburban Resettlement Center, which helped resettle the family, said Iraqi admissions in 2008 have increased rapidly.

"By far, the Iraqis are making up the majority of our clients," he said.

The Office of Refugee Resettlement said the United States has resettled 60,192 refugees this year. Of those, 13,823 were Iraqis, 536 of whom have resettled in Virginia. That's an increase from 2007, when 48,281 refugees came to this country, 1,605 of whom were Iraqis and 64 of whom settled in Virginia.

Transition to life in Northern Virginia has not been without challenges. Al-Radhi's asylum was not approved until May, leaving him and his family waiting for months, unable to work legally or establish themselves. Dang said the process is "a very, very long wait . . . you can't go to work, and you're living day-by-day, wondering whether or not the government is going to deny your case and then deport you back to Iraq to your certain death."

His daughter, Rama, 28, and her husband, who declined to be named because of security concerns, live in Falls Church with his 1-year-old granddaughter.

Al-Radhi and his family have received a great deal of assistance from groups such as the International Rescue Committee and a local law firm that took up their case pro bono. Despite the generosity they've received, one major problem lingers: employment.

"People here are very kind. They want to know a lot about Iraq and society in Iraq and want to help us. But it is limited because of the job" problem, al-Radhi said.

His son-in-law owned a computer business in Baghdad. He then worked as a translator, a job that resulted in several direct attempts on his life. He is now working on a temporary basis for a local refugee assistance agency, but finding permanent work has been difficult.

Americans "deal with us as if we are equal to them, which is a very good thing, but at the same time it's not really a good thing because they want us to act as Americans. To get a job, I have to compete with you . . . which is absolutely different from the way we get jobs in Iraq," his son-in-law said.

Al-Radhi is taking language courses; but the 63-year-old has been unable to find work. His age and lack of English have hampered his ability to establish a career here.

"My specialty is the law," but his language skills are limited, he said. "My friend was an engineer, had a master's in architecture and works now as labor."

Al-Radhi's wife, Rafida, 59, has limited mobility because of knee problems and speaks little English.

His 21-year-old son, Hassan al-Radhi, faces the same struggle as his father and brother-in-law. His son said he has applied for many jobs but even low-paying ones are hard to come by.

"If I work at Shoppers for $6 an hour, how can I get rent?" he said. The rent on his parents' townhouse, where he lives, is $1,450, plus utilities.

Hassan al-Radhi, who had previously studied in Great Britain, speaks near-fluent English, is outgoing and good-humored. Despite the responsibilities of driving his parents around (neither has a driver's license) and worrying about rent, he said he has made many friends of all nationalities while taking classes at a community college.

Along with the major concerns of housing and employment, there are the smaller-scale cultural shifts that come with emigrating. The son-in-law, who drives a lot as part of his job helping refugees, has quickly come to dread traffic as proficiently as longtime commuters.

"I'm taking the Beltway, 66. I have to figure out what time I have to arrive to get back before rush hour," he said. "In Iraq, we scream at each other in rush hour, but I don't see that here."

The fast-food culture of life here is also an adjustment, and not for the better. Although the family enjoys dining at Iranian, Afghani and Lebanese restaurants that serve cuisine similar to Iraq's, time and commute often require fast-food stops. McDonald's and other fast-food restaurants have not won them over.

"You know, we're getting cholesterol now. We're going to take medicine for cholesterol," Hassan al-Radhi said, joking.

"Iraqis make food in the home. Such is the culture," his father said.

Asked what surprised him about the practicalities of life here, the son-in-law pointed to his first run-in with the U.S. health care system. After the long flight from Iraq, his newborn daughter became sick. It cost about $900 to take her to the hospital.

"I will never forget my first bill," he said, incredulously. "I was really shocked. Shocked with the $300, then the next one, and the total of $900. So what am I going to do?"

Despite the financial stress and adjustment to a new environment, the family said they are glad to be in Northern Virginia, away from the constant threat of violence.

"I like it, but I miss my country, I miss my friends. I miss all the things I was used to there. But I like the safety," Rama said. "I think my father made a good decision when he came here. The situation there became worse and worse."

For "about 60 years I grew up in Iraq," Radhi al-Radhi said. "My friends, my birthplace are there. Here, it is good weather, and the people are nice, and a lot of them have offered their help to us."