President Biden is being asked by US veterans’ groups to intervene in an asylum case involving an Afghan soldier who previously fought the Taliban.
Abdul Wasi Safi previously served with US special forces in Afghanistan and continued to fight alongside the northern resistance against the Taliban after the fall of Kabul in August 2021.
Wasi traveled to several safe houses after being forced to flee Afghanistan and relied on US veteran volunteers for help and eventual resettlement, but was “treated harshly and branded a terrorist by the local community.” when he entered Pakistan. According to a letter sent to Biden on Dec. 21 by US veterans groups.
“He traveled on foot or by bus through 10 countries, survived torture, robbery and attempts on his life, sought asylum in the United States from the threats to his life and expected a hero’s reception from his American allies,” the letter states .
AFGHAN SPECIAL FORCES COMMANDO SEEKING ASYLUM GET CAUGHT IN BROKEN US IMMIGRATION SYSTEM
Photo of Abdul Wasi Safi, a US-trained Special Forces agent who escaped Taliban control, fled to Texas and was arrested for crossing the border and seeking asylum. (Sami-ullah Safi)
According to the letter, while Wasi was making his way to America’s southern border on Sept. 30, he was arrested by US Border Patrol agents and charged with illegal entry. Wasi is currently being held at the Eden Detention Center in Texas.
In their letter, the veterans groups urge Biden to grant Wasi parole status.
“Given the known Taliban retaliation against Afghan Special Forces, Lieutenant Wasi’s asylum case is certainly credible and his death is certain if he were deported back to Afghanistan. Afghan Special Forces have served America faithfully, and none of them should have to endure a route like this to get to safety,” the letter said. “We urge you to live up to America’s promise to Lieutenant Abdul Wasi Safi and begin to heal the moral injury by granting him probationary status while he awaits a hearing on his valid asylum claim.”
WHAT IS THE AFGHAN ADJUSTMENT ACT AND HOW COULD IT HELP AMERICA’S FORGOTTEN ALLIES?
Photo of Abdul Wasi Safi, a US-trained Special Forces agent who escaped Taliban control, fled to Texas and was arrested for crossing the border and seeking asylum. (Sami-ullah Safi)
Groups such as the Special Operations Association of America, Save Our Allies, the Ukraine NGO Coordination Network and Project Exodus are among the signatories to the letter.
In a previous phone interview with Fox News from the Eden Detention Center, Wasi said he was disappointed with America’s reaction as he crossed the border.
“I was in a special forces unit in the US military,” Wasi said. “I wanted to come to the United States. I don’t choose another country to help me because I was with them. But I come here and they put me in jail.”
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Photo of Abdul Wasi Safi, a US-trained Special Forces agent who escaped Taliban control, fled to Texas and was arrested for crossing the border and seeking asylum. (Sami-ullah Safi)
“Ecuador, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala and Mexico. I went all the distance to come to the United States because I thought and hoped that the American government would help me,” Wasi said.
Fox News’ Jennifer Griffin, Liz Friden and Krista Garvin contributed to this report.
Adam Sabes is a writer for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to [email protected] and on Twitter @asabes10.