Now, as American and NATO forces prepare to leave the country, he and thousands of others who aided the war effort fear they will be left stranded, facing the prospect of Taliban reprisals. “We are not safe,” the 41-year-old father of six said of Afghan civilians who worked for the U.S. or NATO. Former interpreters have support in Congress, in part because many also have former American troops vouching for them. Nearly 80% of 243 Afghans who appealed in the first quarter of 2021 were subsequently approved after providing additional information, according to the State Department. “Even if he doesn’t qualify for the SIV program, this plainly seems like someone who is in need of protection,” he said.

Source: Daily Nation May 17, 2021 04:18 UTC