Before I went to Jordan, I never knew how many Iraqi refugees fled there when the war erupted in their country. There are hundreds, or even thousands, of them. They have found refuge in this neighbouring country that is much more accepting of Iraqis and that has throughout the years accommodated thousands of Palestinians.
The migration policies of Jordan have been much more open and less prejudiced than those of a number of its neighbouring countries. Jordan has granted citizenship to a significant number of refugees. Jordan has been the only country in the Middle East to openly accept asylum applications and to help out those suffering in conflict, of human rights issues and fearing for their own lives.
On one of the first days of my stay in Amman, we drove past the refugee camps for the Palestinians. These were located in the outskirts of the city, surrounded by fences that had gates for exits in places. As I peaked through one of the gates, I could see apartment buildings crammed into small blocks, with tiny supermarkets on the ground floor and living space above them. I could see people walking about, engaged in their daily business; children running about, flying kites. If you took a photo of the scene and showed it to someone in the UK, they would not believe that the photo was from a Palestinian camp in Amman. The photo would resemble their own lives too much.
Anyone that I meet in Jordan tells me that it is the money that Jordan has and the political relations that they hope to keep in good condition that have determined the open policies towards migration. Jordan has always sought to maintain good relations with western countries and to distribute its money in a more equal way in order for its citizens to remain satisfied with their Royal Family and their politicians.
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For more information on Jordan and refugees, check this link:
http://www.humanrightsfirst.org/asylum/lifeline/pages.asp?country=iq&id=8&misc1=facts_country
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