Why are Afghan interpreters in danger?

The tedious visa process has caused painstaking and sometimes deadly delays for thousands of Afghan interpreters and other workers. The visa complications threaten their lives even more as the Taliban takes territory in Afghanistan, and dangerous attacks are on the rise.

Why are Afghan interpreters being left behind?

Left behind after U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, an interpreter now hides to avoid being killed by the Taliban. Shirzad is still in Afghanistan. He’s been in hiding since the Taliban’s takeover, and Donoghue said it won’t be long before the Taliban find him and his family. “Could be hours, could be days.

Did the US Get the interpreters out of Afghanistan?

WASHINGTON—The U.S. estimates it left behind the majority of Afghan interpreters and others who applied for visas to flee Afghanistan, a senior State Department official said on Wednesday, despite frantic efforts to evacuate those at risk of Taliban retribution.

What did Afghan interpreters do?

Many Afghan nationals worked as translators, drivers and in other roles assisting the U.S. and coalition members. With the Taliban now in control, they’ve never been more vulnerable. One man, whom the Americans called Reggie, says he’s now in constant fear at his home in Kabul.

How many Afghan interpreters have been killed?

300 Afghan interpreters
Since 2014, at least 300 Afghan interpreters or their relatives have been killed. Now, as the Taliban have taken over the country, many of these Afghans fear being left behind.

How many Afghan translators are there?

U.S. officials estimate that there are some 50,000 Afghan interpreters who seek a way out of the country and that 300 have been killed awaiting the visa process.

How many interpreters Taliban killed?

The Taliban have called them traitors who must be punished. And many have. Since 2014, at least 300 Afghan interpreters or their relatives have been killed. Now, as the Taliban have taken over the country, many of these Afghans fear being left behind.

How many Afghan interpreters will be left behind?

By law, an application is supposed to be processed within nine months; it often takes years. And now, unless Congress extends the program, it will close to applicants at the end of this year. An estimated 10,000 interpreters may be left vulnerable—a prospect that the U.S. commander in Afghanistan, Gen.

How many Afghan interpreters have died?

Why did US soldiers side with the Taliban in Afghanistan?

Shinwari told CNN Heroes in 2018. At the time he recalled his decision to side with US soldiers after seeing the Taliban regime’s terror firsthand. Shinwari knew the US needed translators, but he also understood the dangers.

How many American interpreters are left vulnerable in Afghanistan?

An estimated 10,000 interpreters may be left vulnerable—a prospect that the U.S. commander in Afghanistan, Gen. John W. Nicholson, warned could “bolster the propaganda of our enemies.” Ewaz recalls his slain colleague and friend Sakhidad Afghan.

Why was a letter stuffed in a pants pocket in Afghanistan?

A letter bearing the Taliban flag was found stuffed into a pants pocket. It warned that three of his brothers, who also worked for coalition forces, were in for the same. Sakhidad Afghan’s death reflects an overlooked legacy of America’s longest, and ongoing, war: the threat to Afghans who served the U.S. mission there.

Why was Afghan interpreter falsely accused of stealing a generator?

Fired as an interpreter in 2012, he says he was falsely accused of stealing an Army generator after he sought a leave to care for his sick son. The boy has meningitis and may go blind without care unavailable in Afghanistan. (Erin Trieb) Afghan Saquedat’s brother prays over his grave.