Young Afghan Interpreter Aided US Officer, Then Needed Help to Escape

In April, Ahmadullah Karimi anxiously prepared his family’s belongings, aware that the next few hours could determine their future. Karimi, 31, found himself in Pakistan, where he had lived for over two and a half years with his wife and two young children, awaiting a chance to escape. He vividly recalled the chaotic scenes outside Kabul’s airport after the withdrawal of U.S. forces ended on August 30, 2021. Desperate Afghans clung to military planes, attempting to flee the impending Taliban rule, while he had been left behind – a former U.S. military interpreter vulnerable to retaliation by the Taliban.

Karimi’s family managed to reach Pakistan, where he believed he would eventually secure a special immigrant visa (SIV) due to his role as an interpreter for U.S. forces. After years of navigating complex bureaucracy and with vital assistance from his former boss, retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Will Selber, Karimi finally had his visa. However, Selber, who worked tirelessly to aid other former Afghan colleagues, knew that obtaining a visa didn’t guarantee safety. He feared that even with valid paperwork, Karimi could still face detention or deportation by Pakistani authorities.

“If they see me and my family trying to go to the airport, they probably will make some excuses to intervene,” Karimi expressed, concerned for the safety of his family, including his wife and young children. Returning to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan could mean death for him, while his wife would be subjected to oppressive restrictions.

Despite the SIV approval, Selber understood that the situation remained precarious. “A thousand things could go wrong,” he stated, illustrating the ongoing risks their journey posed.

Three years post-U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, over 160,000 Afghans and their families have been resettled in the U.S., a commitment touted by veterans and advocates as a moral obligation. The Biden administration has made efforts to speed up processing for Afghan refugees, with special immigrant visa approvals expected to exceed 18,000 this year. However, challenges persist: at least 250,000 vulnerable Afghans, including former interpreters, still remain stranded in Afghanistan and neighboring countries, facing obstacles and backlogs.

Approximately 130,000 applicants are still waiting for eligibility decisions regarding their SIV applications, a situation that has led many to risk treacherous journeys to the U.S. southern border. Moreover, Congress has yet to pass the Afghan Adjustment Act, initially proposed two years ago to facilitate resettlement and provide a path to permanent residency for Afghans temporarily living in the U.S.

“So much more needs to be done to keep our promise to protect our allies,” emphasized Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, President of Global Refuge, a resettlement agency. Although progress is underway and thousands are successfully relocated monthly, the journey is lengthy and fraught with complications.

Selber, who served multiple deployments in Afghanistan, remains devoted to assisting his former allies. Despite the difficulties, many veterans have offered financial support for housing and guidance to navigate the bureaucratic hurdles confronted by those like Karimi.

Karimi’s hardships began years earlier, during his first encounter with Selber in a remote Afghan outpost. In an area where resources were scarce and danger lurked nearby, they developed a friendship as they worked together. Despite the absence of combat, the constant threat to their safety was palpable.

When the Taliban regained power, Karimi’s concerns grew. After the U.S. withdrawal, he and his family faced peril. Despite applying for an SIV and even having family connections in Canada to assist his case, securing passage to safety proved to be a monumental struggle.

By September 2021, with the situation deteriorating, Karimi made the difficult decision to seek refuge in Pakistan. They undertook a perilous journey to cross the border, hoping to escape the clutches of the Taliban. When they reached the border station, he cleverly conveyed the urgency of their plight to gain entrance into Pakistan.

Still, being in Pakistan posed significant risks. An unexpected inquiry reached Selber’s inbox in 2022 from individuals seeking to aid Karimi. With perseverance, Selber corrected bureaucratic errors that hindered Karimi’s SIV application and eventually helped him succeed.

In April 2023, after a long and arduous process, Karimi was finally approved for resettlement. With a ticket arranged by Selber and other supporters, he managed to navigate the difficult journey to the airport, successfully reaching the U.S.

Upon their arrival in Boston, the reunion with Selber was an emotional moment filled with gratitude. “He saved my life,” Karimi stated, reflecting on the immense help he had received. Selber, visibly relieved after months of anxiety, drove the family to their new life in Vermont, where they would build a future free from fear.

Settling into their new home, Karimi found work as a delivery driver and later as a cashier, while his children began adapting to their new surroundings. “I’m really happy for my wife and my kids. They can go to school. They have freedom here,” he said, highlighting a brighter future in stark contrast to their troubling past.

However, thoughts of family left behind burdened him. His parents and siblings remain in danger, facing the repercussions of their connections to U.S. forces. The pain of separation and the trauma of their past linger on, even amid newfound opportunities.

Select veterans like Selber continue to advocate for those still in peril, hoping for a future where all who served alongside U.S. forces can find safety and peace. Meanwhile, Karimi recently celebrated receiving his green card, marking a significant milestone in a journey fraught with challenges and uncertainty.

“I don’t have words to tell him thank you,” Karimi said, expressing profound gratitude for the friendship and support that transformed his family’s fate.

Source: USA Today