Afghan Translator Mohammad Usafi Details His Struggle To Get A Visa After Aiding U.S. Soldiers

Working as a translator for U.S. forces in Afghanistan carried a heavy price for Mohammad Usafi. He’s faced threats on his life and suffered through the murder of his father and the kidnapping of his brother. And despite the mortal danger to himself and his family, it took 3 1/2 years for Usafi to be approved for the Special Immigrant Visa that allowed him to seek refuge in America.

Today Usafi is living safely in the United States, as are his mother and siblings. On Tuesday night he attended President Obama’s State of the Union address as the guest of Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), who is advocating to improve the system for approving visas for translators who risk their lives to aid Americans.

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The Huffington Post