In a truly uplifting story, the (first?) heavy metal band in Iraq, Acrassicauda, subject of the Vice documentary Heavy Metal in Baghdad, was finally granted refugee status and allowed into the U.S. a few months ago. They will soon be applying for green card status. To top it all off, 3/4ths of the band got to attend a Metallica show this weekend and meet their idols in the flesh. James Hetfield was even kind enough to give the band one of his ESP guitars. The band has come to America to rock, and I wish them luck in trying to succeed.
The New York Times was there to cover the story and have a very detailed writeup about the whole situation definitely worth a read. Also, if you haven't seen the documentary, Heavy Metal in Baghdad, I recommend you go out and get it.