The Quiet Heroes Left Behind: Interpreters In Afghanistan

Since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, interpreters who worked with the US and its allies have been at risk of retribution and have been desperately trying to flee the country. The US estimates that it left behind the majority of Afghan interpreters who applied for visas to escape the country. An Afghan interpreter who worked with the US Army for nine years, known as Reggie, described the situation: Since these insurgents have arrived, I cannot sleep for a minute. I can't sleep for a single minute. Reggie is one of around 20,000 Afghan interpreters and 53,000 of their family members who are in the backlog for special immigrant visas to the US.

The US estimates that the majority of interpreters were left behind

The US government has a history of modifying immigration laws to accommodate foreigners who aided its overseas objectives. However, Congress has been reluctant to renew or expand the Afghan program this year for various reasons, including the potential cost and concerns about the number of immigrants entering the country.

The Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program, created specifically for Afghans and Iraqis who worked alongside American troops, has been criticised for its lengthy and complex process. The nonprofit No One Left Behind, which helps interpreters secure visas, states that the process involves 14 steps and takes an average of three and a half years.

The dangers faced by interpreters who remain in Afghanistan are grave. They are deemed conspirators with the infidels and are considered legitimate targets for reprisals by the Taliban. The Taliban has a "dead list" of individuals who have failed the American security clearance protocol, and interpreters fear that any inconsistency or failure in the security checks could trigger a denial of their visa application, putting their lives at risk.

Interpreters who have managed to flee Afghanistan recount their struggles in their home country and the challenges of resettling in the US. Zia Ghafoori, an interpreter who served the US military for 14 years, recounted his six-year wait for a visa and his experience of homelessness upon arriving in the US. He shared the difficulties of navigating the complex visa process and the lack of support during resettlement.

The US withdrawal from Afghanistan has left interpreters feeling abandoned and betrayed. They feel that their service and sacrifices have been overlooked, and the slow and restrictive visa programs have put their lives in danger. With the Taliban's increasing presence and control in Afghanistan, interpreters fear for their lives and the safety of their families.

Interpreters are in mortal danger, with retribution from the Taliban

Interpreters who worked with the US and other NATO allies in Afghanistan are in grave danger of retribution from the Taliban. The Taliban has a history of targeting and killing those who worked with international forces, and the current situation is no different.

Interpreters who worked with US and NATO forces are at high risk of retribution from the Taliban, who view them as "traitors" and "conspirators with the infidels." The Taliban has been known to carry out revenge attacks and killings against those who worked with foreign forces, and interpreters are often specifically targeted due to their role as intermediaries. Many interpreters have received death threats, and some have already been killed or tortured by the Taliban. The situation is so dire that retired Col. Mike Jason has stated that interpreters are in "mortal danger," and that "our interpreters have been assassinated for a decade plus."

The danger is compounded by the fact that interpreters must provide proof of their employment with US or NATO forces when applying for visas or refugee status. This documentation amounts to a "confession" in the eyes of the Taliban and further increases the risk to interpreters and their families.

The US and other NATO countries have evacuation and visa programs in place to help interpreters and other at-risk Afghans, but these programs have been plagued by delays and bureaucratic issues. As a result, thousands of interpreters and their families are still stuck in Afghanistan, facing an uncertain future and the constant threat of retribution from the Taliban.

The situation is urgent, and time is running out for those left behind. With the Taliban consolidating their control over the country, interpreters and their families are in mortal danger and desperately need assistance to get out of the country safely.

The US visa process for interpreters is long and complex

The process of obtaining a US visa for Afghan interpreters is long and complex. The Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program is available to interpreters who have worked alongside the US Armed Forces, but the process involves several steps and can take years.

Firstly, applicants must submit a petition and provide various documents, including proof of employment and a recommendation letter. This is followed by NVC processing, where the case is reviewed and applicants must complete an online visa application and collect additional documents. The next steps involve scanning and submitting these documents, and then an interview is scheduled. The entire process can be lengthy, and any missing documents can cause further delays.

In addition, the danger faced by interpreters who worked for the US is grave, as they are targeted by the Taliban for their collaboration with American forces. This puts them in a vulnerable position while they navigate the complex visa process. The US government has recognized the urgency of the situation and has taken steps to expedite the evacuation and visa process, but the future remains uncertain for many interpreters still in Afghanistan.

Canada has also been working to evacuate interpreters

Canada has been working to evacuate interpreters from Afghanistan since the Taliban started to regain territory in the country. In July 2021, the Canadian government unveiled a new, expedited "path to protection" for Afghans who supported Canadian troops as interpreters, cultural advisors, or support staff, as well as their families. The plan was to bring several thousand Afghans to Canada, and the government wanted to act quickly due to the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan.

Canada's immigration minister, Marco Mendicino, said that Afghan refugees had started arriving in the country, with the first group landing in Toronto. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed his pleasure at the news, stating that it was emotional for all involved to see those who had supported Canada come to their new homes and safety. Mendicino added that the government would financially support the evacuees for one year, including through income support and language training.

Despite these efforts, some critics argued that the government was not doing enough, particularly for the families of Afghan interpreters. In response, Mendicino's office broadened the program to include "de-facto dependents" who may not be related to the interpreters. However, many individuals and organizations, such as the Afghan-Canadian Interpreters group, claimed that they were left out of the evacuation process.

Veterans and volunteers also played a crucial role in the evacuation efforts. Some veterans used their own money to relocate former Afghan colleagues to safer parts of Afghanistan or other countries. Additionally, a group of volunteers, including retired military officers, veterans, diplomats, aid workers, and journalists, used their connections and funds to help move over 300 Afghan interpreters and staff to Canada. They spent approximately $10,000 per day on food, lodging, and security for those they assisted.

While Canada's efforts to evacuate interpreters from Afghanistan were significant, the process was not without challenges and controversies. The email address for applications initially crashed, and there were issues with bureaucratic delays and a lack of coordination. Nevertheless, the Canadian government's commitment to resettling Afghan interpreters and their families demonstrated its recognition of the debt of gratitude and moral obligation to those who had risked their lives to assist Canadian forces.

The UK has a similar issue with interpreters for its army

The UK has faced similar issues with interpreters for its army. In 2018, it was reported that over 150 interpreters who served on the front line in Helmand Province were granted sanctuary in the UK under a five-year visa set to expire the following year. These interpreters were told they would have to pay a fee of £2,389 if they wished to be granted the indefinite right to remain in the UK. Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson urged the Home Office to waive the fees, stating that these interpreters "have every right to be here". Home Secretary Sajid Javid eventually confirmed that the fees would be waived, and that the interpreters would be allowed to stay in the UK for free.

Despite this, the UK has continued to face challenges with military interpreters. In 2022, the Ministry of Defence struggled to find enough translators to work with Ukrainian troops being trained by the British Army in the UK. An advert for translators highlighted the urgent need, stating that "the need for interpreters is really high and will remain high until the end of the summer". This issue was partly attributed to concerns that the translators did not need to be fluent in English, which was considered a problem given that the training included instruction on powerful weapons.

In addition, the UK has faced criticism for its treatment of Afghan interpreters who worked for the British Army. In 2018, a report by the Defence Committee stated that the UK government had "dismally failed" these interpreters, noting that a scheme designed to offer protection to local interpreters at risk of reprisals from the Taliban had not offered any interpreters refuge in Britain. This sentiment was echoed by Dr Julian Lewis MP, chairman of the Defence Committee, who warned that such treatment could make it more difficult to employ local interpreters in future military campaigns. Similarly, in 2023, it was reported that Afghan interpreters who had been granted the right to resettle in the UK following years of lobbying and legal uncertainty still faced delays in the resettlement process, with nearly 2,000 Afghan citizens awaiting similar resettlement in Pakistan or Iran for months or even years.

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