The List: Kirk’s Story

Increased US security concerns have stalled the immigration process for thousands of Iraqis who worked for the American military and government since the invasion of Iraq in 2003. Knowing these Iraqis are at particular risk because of the work they performed, the US created new programs to help them get out of Iraq and resettle in America. But these programs are failing — and the promises made through them are not being met.

Former USAID worker Kirk Johnson launched The List Project to Resettle Iraqi Allies in 2007 to push the US government to deliver on its promises. If it does not, hundreds more Iraqis are likely to suffer torture and death at the hands of extremists.

As documentary filmmaker Beth Murphy reports, the need to fulfill those promises is even more important now as America's withdrawal from the country draws closer.  

This is Part One of a three-part series. Part Two can be viewed here and Part Three can be viewed here.

Beth Murphy is Director/Producer of "The List," an upcoming public television documentary on this subject. This GroundTruth Special Report is a collaboration with The Woods Hole Film Festival, brought to you in part by a grant from The Cape Cod Economic Development Council.

This story is presented by The GroundTruth Project.