By MILICA TRPEVSKA, Scripps Howard News Service

Three Iraqi refugees tell their stories:

Name: Eric, 30

U.S. home: Fairfax, Va.

Family: His mother and younger brother live with him. None use their full names to protect other family members.

The prospect of living in the United States did not cross Mushtaq Talib's mind until staying in his home country of Iraq became life threatening.

Talib, 32, who came to the United States in May 2008 to save his life, is now struggling to make a living for himself, his wife, Nadima, and his 4-year-old daughter, Rahaf, in Alexandria, Va. in suburban Washington, D.C.