The Stream

Afghan translators: Left behind

Interpreters struggle to survive after working with US military.

On Monday, March 28 at 19:30 GMT:

More than 10,000 Afghans who risked their lives to work with the United States over the past fifteen years are in limbo, as their applications for Special Immigrant Visas to the US remain in process. According to US law, the process should take no longer than 9 months, but many end up waiting far longer for their paperwork to go through. Among them are translators and their families, who are left living in fear of Taliban reprisal. Some have actually been killed while they wait. For those who make it to the US, building a new life is not easy. They are often given little support to find jobs, pay their rent or receive medical attention they may require because of their service alongside the US military. As a result, some end up returning to Afghanistan, despite the security concerns they may face. Al Jazeera’s Fault Lines followed some of their stories in a new film, “Left Behind”. We discuss at 19:30 GMT.

Joining this conversation:

Josh Rushing @joshrushing
Al Jazeera Presenter, Fault Lines
aljazeera.com/programmes/faultlines

Janis Shinwari
Former Translator for US Military

Matthew Zeller @mattczeller
Chairman, No One Left Behind
nooneleft.org

John Kirby @statedeptspox
Spokesperson, US State Department
www.state.gov

Wahdat
Former Translator for US Military

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