Massoud, a resident of Kabul, found himself in a perilous situation one chilly Sunday morning. In search of employment opportunities to support his family, he was suddenly confronted by pickup trucks filled with armed Taliban members. As he recounts to CBS News, these armed men pointed their AK-47s at him, forcefully handcuffed him, blindfolded him, and transported him to the Taliban’s intelligence office known as the General Directorate of Intelligence. Massoud’s family was left horrified and confused as they desperately searched for him, exploring hospitals and other places, until they eventually discovered his whereabouts at the Taliban’s intelligence department after six weeks of tireless efforts.
In a phone interview with CBS News, Massoud recalls the horrific details of his imprisonment. He endured beatings, electric shocks, waterboarding, and even being hung upside down during the first 15 days of his captivity. His crime? Massoud had worked as an interpreter for the U.S. military from 2011 to 2013, including a year spent assisting U.S. Navy SEALs. To protect Massoud and the other former interpreter involved in this story, CBS News has chosen not to disclose their real names.
During his interrogations, the Taliban intelligence officers accused Massoud of aiding the Americans in the killing of their people and claimed that he was still a spy for the U.S. Despite Massoud informing them of the general amnesty proclaimed by the Taliban, the interrogators brushed off his plea, making it clear that there was no amnesty for people like him. After enduring over three months of imprisonment, Massoud was finally released by the Taliban, but not without his brothers signing two separate guarantees promising to return him to the intelligence agency if demanded. CBS News has verified these letters and other documents filled out by Massoud’s family while he was imprisoned, indicating the seriousness of the situation.
Now a free man, Massoud continues to live in fear, aware that the Taliban could rearrest him at any moment. The U.S. Army Sgt. Jordan David Johnson, Massoud’s former supervisor in Helmand province, feels immense guilt as he remains in contact with Massoud. Johnson has reached out to members of the U.S. Congress, expressing his support for Massoud’s U.S. visa application, but unfortunately, it has yielded no results. Johnson firmly believes that it is unjust to leave Massoud, who he trusts and considers a friend, in a dangerous position.
Omar, another individual interviewed by CBS News, shares a similar harrowing experience. He worked with the U.S. military from 2008 to 2012 and collaborated closely with U.S. troops in eastern Paktia province. From 2012 until the Taliban’s resurgence in August 2021, he worked on various projects with the U.S. Agency for International Development at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul. Omar faced numerous threats due to his association with the U.S. and even survived what he believes was an assassination attempt in 2014 after filing for a U.S. visa. Despite reporting these threats to his supervisors at the embassy, Omar’s U.S. Special Immigration Visa (SIV) application was rejected under the claim that his submitted documents were fraudulent. Omar suspects that the rejection was influenced by a polygraph test he failed eight years prior. He criticizes the unfairness of the process, which limits applicants to responding with simple “yes” or “no” answers, without providing them with the opportunity to explain their circumstances. Omar has filed an appeal against the rejection but awaits a response, while fearing for the safety of himself and his family.
The issue of Afghan interpreters and translators seeking refuge in the U.S. is a complex one, exacerbated by the protracted SIV application process. These individuals played vital roles, serving alongside U.S. troops and diplomats during the 20-year war that followed the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001. They risked their lives on the battlefield while helping to bridge the language barrier, provide cultural insight, gather intelligence, negotiate with tribal leaders, and establish trust with local communities.
Both Massoud and Omar have applied for SIVs, utilizing a program established by the U.S. Congress in 2006. However, the bureaucratic hurdles of the SIV application process have left them disillusioned and skeptical about its effectiveness. Massoud’s application was rejected due to a lack of documentation from his supervisors, despite Johnson’s attempts to assist him. Massoud has diligently submitted the requested documents but has received no updates from the U.S. government for over 320 days. The constantly changing requirements and lengthy wait times have frustrated both Massoud and Johnson. The former soldier emphasizes the urgency of the situation, stressing that the lives of these interpreters are in grave danger, and the support they receive is insufficient.
The U.S. State Department acknowledges the backlog of SIV applications and claims to have devoted more resources to the program, increasing the number of dedicated staff. They have also reviewed and streamlined the application process where possible to align with U.S. law. According to State Department spokesperson, nearly 34,000 SIVs have been issued to principal applicants and their eligible family members since the start of the Biden administration until August 1, 2023. However, as of March, approximately 9,800 principal SIV applicants have only obtained Chief of Mission (COM) approval, awaiting further processing and the eventual visa interview. Furthermore, 69,000 principal applicants are still undergoing the review process, but historically, about half of those reaching this stage do not qualify for an SIV. The State Department maintains its commitment to processing Afghan SIV applications promptly, adhering to statutory requirements and national security concerns.
The current reality indicates that over 840,000 principal and derivative SIV applicants remain in Afghanistan, as estimated by the State Department Inspector General’s report in April 2023. The report highlights the need for continued efforts to address the challenges faced by these individuals.
In conclusion, the plight of Afghan interpreters and their struggle for safety in the U.S. is a matter calling for urgent attention. The SIV application process, while aiming to offer a lifeline, has become a source of frustration and insecurity. The lives of these brave individuals who risked everything to assist the U.S. deserve better protection and support, as their well-being remains in jeopardy.
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