HOUSTON — Abdul Wasi Safi saved paperwork detailing his time as an Afghan soldier who labored with the U.S. army near him as he made the monthslong, treacherous journey from Brazil to the U.S.-Mexico border.
He fled Afghanistan fearing retribution from the Taliban following the August 2021 American withdrawal, and hoped the paperwork would safe his asylum in the U.S. Despite thick jungles, raging rivers and beatings, he saved these paperwork protected.
But after crossing the U.S.-Mexico border close to Eagle Pass, Texas, in September, Wasi Safi was arrested on a federal immigration cost. He remains jailed at a detention middle in Eden, Texas, and fears his asylum declare could also be denied.
Wasi Safi’s brother, attorneys, army organizations and a bipartisan group of lawmakers working to free him say his case highlights how America’s chaotic army withdrawal continues to hurt Afghan residents who helped the U.S. however had been left behind.
“He tried every way possible to save these certificates in the hopes that once he … presents his appropriate documents at the southern border … he would receive a warm welcome and his service would be appreciated and recognized,” mentioned Sami-ullah Safi, his brother.
If despatched again to Afghanistan, he could possibly be killed by the Taliban, which since its takeover has killed greater than 100 Afghan officers and safety pressure members, in accordance with a United Nations report.
“It’s honestly just shameful that we’ve treated people that helped protect our country this way,” mentioned Jennifer Cervantes, certainly one of Wasi Safi’s immigration attorneys.
Wasi Safi, 27, had been an intelligence officer with the Afghan National Security Forces, offering U.S. forces with info on terrorists, mentioned Sami-ullah Safi, 29, who goes by Sami.
Sami Safi had been employed by the U.S. army as a translator since 2010, making him eligible for a particular immigrant visa for interpreters and others paid by the U.S. authorities. The visa allowed him to maneuver to Houston in 2015.
But Wasi Safi was not eligible for that visa as a result of he was not employed straight by the U.S.
When American forces withdrew from Afghanistan, Wasi Safi went into hiding and discovered that associates in the Afghan army had been killed by the Taliban.
He was capable of get a visa for Brazil and traveled there in 2022. But he realized he wasn’t a lot safer as he and different migrants had been overwhelmed and robbed by gangs.
In the summer time of 2022, Wasi Safi started his journey to the U.S.
When he crossed an enormous river in the Darien Gap, the imposing and harmful stretch of thick jungle between Colombia and Panama, Wasi Safi saved a backpack along with his paperwork above his head, so that they wouldn’t get moist.
When cops in Guatemala tried to extort him and took his backpack, Wasi Safi endured their beatings till he obtained the paperwork again, in accordance with his brother.
On his journey, Wasi Safi suffered severe accidents from beatings, together with broken entrance tooth and listening to loss in his proper ear. Zachary Fertitta, certainly one of his felony protection attorneys, mentioned Wasi Safi has not acquired correct medical care whereas in detention. A GoFundMe web page has been set as much as assist pay for medical care if he’s launched.
Sami Safi mentioned his brother has grow to be disillusioned since his detention, believing the paperwork he thought would save him are nugatory.
But Fertitta mentioned these paperwork present “he’s clearly an ally, was trained by our troops, worked with our troops.”
U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, a Houston Democrat, final week despatched a letter to President Joe Biden, asking him to pardon Wasi Safi for his immigration associated prices. She mentioned Thursday that his paperwork present he’s “an individual who obviously loved this country … and was willing to die for this country.”
Republican Congressmen Dan Crenshaw of Texas and Michael Waltz of Florida, in addition to greater than 20 veterans teams have additionally known as for Wasi Safi’s freedom whereas his asylum declare is reviewed.
The White House declined to touch upon Friday, referring inquiries to the Justice Department and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas, which is prosecuting his case for the Justice Department, and Customs and Border Protection didn’t instantly return emails seeking remark.
During a information convention Tuesday, Pentagon spokesman U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder mentioned he couldn’t touch upon Wasi Safi’s case however that the Defense Department is “supportive of any efforts that we can make to ensure that we’re taking appropriate care of” the nation’s Afghan allies.
Fertitta mentioned Wasi Safi’s felony case has to first be resolved earlier than his asylum declare could be thought-about, and he’s hoping that decision doesn’t embrace a conviction, which may imperil the asylum request.
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Nearly 76,000 Afghans who labored with American troopers since 2001 as translators, interpreters and companions arrived in the U.S. on army planes after the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan. But their immigration standing remains unclear after Congress didn’t move a proposed regulation, the Afghan Adjustment Act, that might have solidified their authorized residency standing.
Fertitta mentioned Wasi Safi’s case highlights the nation’s “broken immigration system” and its failure to assist Afghan allies.
“You have all of those things colliding at our border and it’s a very difficult problem to sort out,” Fertitta mentioned.
Sami Safi mentioned he remains hopeful.
“I am hoping that President Biden and those who have authority over this case step up and save his life. He has given enough sacrifice for this country. My whole family has sacrificed for this country,” he mentioned.
Associated Press author Aamer Madhani in Washington contributed to this report.
