This week's episode is a call to action, as we tell the story of Muhammad Kamran. I hope that you will listen and join us to help save him and his family.
Muhammad was an interpreter in Afghanistan for U.S. troops and the War on Terror for over ten years, but, now, he's been in hiding for six years in Pakistan after he and his family fled Afghanistan for their lives. They are still trying to find safe passage to America. Yet, the U.S. has denied his case repeatedly, with no reasons given publicly.
After the U.S. troops began pulling out of Afghanistan, interpreters became targets for the Taliban. More than 17,000 Afghan interpreters were left behind to face torture and death and, in 2009, the U.S. government passed an act to supposedly help with this issue.
"In 2009, Congress passed the Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2009. The Act provided special immigrant visas (SIVs) to Afghans who had worked for at least one year as translators or interpreters, or who were employed by, or on behalf of, the U.S. government in Afghanistan, and whose lives were threatened because of their work in support of the U.S. mission. The visas allow these wartime allies to resettle in the United States."
(https://www.humanrightsfirst.org/resource/afghan-special-immigrant-visa-program)
Yet, under the Trump administration, the number of SIVs issued has significantly been reduced. Right now, they deny 90% of Iraqi and Afghani U.S. military interpreters who apply as refugees. This tragedy is an everyday reality for so many interpreters living in fear.
Thankfully, Muhammad has had an advocate in Kristy Perano and her family, who have tirelessly have spent the last several years campaigning and petitioning on his behalf to the government. Currently, Muhammad is still waiting but also pursuing immigration through Canada.
Let's help get the Kamran family to safety.
For that to happen, WE NEED YOU!
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Here is how you can get involved and help:
1) Listen to Muhammad's story and share it on social media. We need to continue to get this message out.
2) Give to Muhammad's GoFundMe Campaign to help his family immigrate to Canada. He needs to raise $30,000.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/rescue-afghan-interpreter-and-family-from-taliban
3) Join his prayer team for updates and prayer requests. To be added to the list, please email save.aysha@gmail.com.
4) Helping SIV refugees through Keeping our Promise
https://www.keepingourpromise.org/
Help new refugees in your community through organizations like World Relief and We Welcome Refugees.
https://www.wewelcomerefugees.com/