Many former Afghan interpreters who worked with the U.S. military in Afghanistan are now living in the United States. Two of them, who came to Sacramento, California a month ago, say they are terrified for their families who are stuck in Kabul. Afghanistan's capital city is now under Taliban control as the country's government has crumbled. Sister station KCRA was welcomed to the apartment of the two Afghan men. The station's crew was connected to them by a local veteran who worked alongside the two men in combat and helped them get to Sacramento safely. For the safety of the former interpreters and their families, the two men asked KCRA to change their names to "Muhammad" and "Magbour" for this news story. Their appearances remained anonymous, and their voices were altered.Magbour was a translator for U.S. troops in Afghanistan for 12 years. Muhammad worked with special forces and the CIA as a combat soldier and combat interpreter. Both men's wives, children and other relatives are still in Kabul. "I am not sleeping, just thinking," Magbour told KCRA. "I am just thinking about my family. My feeling is not good right now."Muhammad's six children, wife, mother and multiple cousins are there, many of who helped America. He said his youngest brother was recently captured by the Taliban and killed while working as an undercover interpreter. Both men's relatives have been approved for Special Immigrant Visas, but they do not have enough money to pay for passports or flights. The other issue is managing a safe way for the relatives to travel to the Kabul Airport. Muhammad is urging the U.S. government to stay true to the promises of the past and protect the Afghans who worked alongside American troops."We never misled Americans," Muhammad said. "We worked as brothers for a good future of Afghanistan."In his address to the nation on Monday, President Biden said the U.S. military will provide assistance to eligible Afghans in the coming days who are trying to escape the country.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Many former Afghan interpreters who worked with the U.S. military in Afghanistan are now living in the United States. Two of them, who came to Sacramento, California a month ago, say they are terrified for their families who are stuck in Kabul.
Afghanistan's capital city is now under Taliban control as the country's government has crumbled. Sister station KCRA was welcomed to the apartment of the two Afghan men. The station's crew was connected to them by a local veteran who worked alongside the two men in combat and helped them get to Sacramento safely.
For the safety of the former interpreters and their families, the two men asked KCRA to change their names to "Muhammad" and "Magbour" for this news story. Their appearances remained anonymous, and their voices were altered.
Magbour was a translator for U.S. troops in Afghanistan for 12 years. Muhammad worked with special forces and the CIA as a combat soldier and combat interpreter. Both men's wives, children and other relatives are still in Kabul.
"I am not sleeping, just thinking," Magbour told KCRA. "I am just thinking about my family. My feeling is not good right now."
Muhammad's six children, wife, mother and multiple cousins are there, many of who helped America. He said his youngest brother was recently captured by the Taliban and killed while working as an undercover interpreter.
Shekib Rahmani
U.S soldiers stand guard along a perimeter at the international airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, Monday, Aug. 16, 2021. On Monday, the U.S. military and officials focus was on Kabul’s airport, where thousands of Afghans trapped by the sudden Taliban takeover rushed the tarmac and clung to U.S. military planes deployed to fly out staffers of the U.S. Embassy, which shut down Sunday, and others. (AP Photo/Shekib Rahmani)
Both men's relatives have been approved for Special Immigrant Visas, but they do not have enough money to pay for passports or flights. The other issue is managing a safe way for the relatives to travel to the Kabul Airport.
Muhammad is urging the U.S. government to stay true to the promises of the past and protect the Afghans who worked alongside American troops.
"We never misled Americans," Muhammad said. "We worked as brothers for a good future of Afghanistan."
In his address to the nation on Monday, President Biden said the U.S. military will provide assistance to eligible Afghans in the coming days who are trying to escape the country.
