The word “bidoon” in Arabic means “without.” The Bidoon comprise about 100,000 of Kuwait’s three million population. They are the descendants of Bedouins who failed to register for citizenship early in the history of Kuwait. Thus, they lack status as citizens. They are essentially stateless with no hope of altering their position. They do not receive welfare, healthcare, or free education. They cannot vote.
The Bidoon, in a small number, have joined other Middle Eastern refugees seeking asylum in Europe.
But most Bidoon remain where they have grown up in Kuwait. They are a class to themselves in that rich Gulf State.
I know what you’re thinking. The rich Kuwaitis should award citizenship to the Bidoon of Kuwait.
Do we in the US have our own class of Bidoon? Among those children of undocumented aliens who have grown up in this country, we see a similar group.
Should both Kuwait and the US provide a path to citizenship for these stateless ones?
