An Afghan interpreter who managed to leave Afghanistan earlier this month fears for his coworkers who are still stuck in the war-torn country.
Moneer has been helping the U.S. over the past two decades, but the U.S. gave him a hard time securing SIV
Moneer, an Afghan interpreter, is one of the several Afghans who has been helping the United States forces in Afghanistan for the past two decades. He claimed that for years, he has been trying to secure a U.S. visa, but was not successful in this pursuit.
However, his service with British and NATO forces gave him the opportunity to secure a United Kingdom visa in just a few weeks. He stated that he wishes securing an American visa was that easy.
Moneer added that he applied for a Special Immigrant Visa to the U.S. on more than one occasion. The first attempt that he made was back in 2013.
At that time, Moneer said the State Department informed him that the documents he presented were fraudulent and they didn’t allow him to appeal. He then mentioned that he still has a request and it is pending.
An important update from Moneer, an Afghan interpreter who served along U.S. forces in Afghanistan. https://t.co/2D0AiqRVlO
— pattyguerrad (@PattyGuerraD) August 16, 2021
Fortunately, Moneer had worked with a former Green Beret who was willing to assist him. His former colleague raised money which allowed him to hop on a plane to Dubai and leave Afghanistan. From Dubai, he worked with the embassy of the U.K. to secure a visa in a span of a few weeks.
The Afghan interpreter is begging to rescue his colleagues, family, and friends who have been doing their jobs honestly these past two decades
Moneer is now in London; however, his family, colleagues, and friends haven’t been fortunate and are still stuck in Afghanistan. He claimed that their lives are in danger and there are 18,000 Afghans who are in the same position as him, trying to seek refuge in the U.S. with their families.
The Afghan interpreter then mentioned that the situation is bad right now. The people with whom he worked together and fought side by side with are still in danger.
Reuters reporting that Angela Merkel has told party colleagues that Germany may need to evacuate 10000 Afghans- including interpreters and human rights lawyers. She also reportedly said that Germany should work with neighbouring countries on refugees. https://t.co/kiK29TUUKr
— Lewis Goodall (@lewis_goodall) August 16, 2021
On the other hand, thousands of people are flooding the international airport in Kabul, attempting to escape. Moneer is concerned that at this point, the United States is not able to save the “real heroes” who are still left behind.
Moneer also noted how the U.S. owes him because of the work he has done for the U.S. government. He said he worked with SEAL Team Six and Green Berets.
The Afghan interpreter emphasized that he is proud of the work he has done; his only regret is recommending other Afghans for interpreter jobs because right now, they are still left in Afghanistan. He is begging the U.S. to not leave them behind, stating they have done their jobs honestly throughout the years.
