Afghan compatriots
I was a doctor at a battalion aid station in Afghanistan in 2010. Interpreters were essential to our daily work. We dealt with Afghan and NATO (yes NATO!) personnel every day and the work our interpreters provided was essential to our mission. I do not speak Farsi … well, not that well anyway. We promised them asylum in the U.S. if they would help us. My interpreter was a 21-year-old man, a kid really, and he helped us because he hated the Taliban and the tight control they had on the whole country.
I am really upset about the recent news that now their only choice is to go to the Republic of Congo or back to Afghanistan where they would surely be executed. They deserve much better than this. We promised them more.
If we go back on the deal we made with them, then what does it tell us about future conflicts? Do you think any other local people are going to stick their necks out for us? Not likely. America HAS to honor our commitments to those who put their lives on the line to assist us.
Please write or call our elected representatives and ask them to initiate legislation that would secure these heroes a safe place to live.