Get an Afghan Interpreter’s Family to the US

So the reality is, I’m not much for asking for money – yet, here I am. This is a cause and case for which my passion overflows, so much so that I can shed that pride and make the ask.

 

Summary up-front: This is an ask for donations to support the family of a former interpreter named Pasoon, whose family remains in Afghanistan – a man who served nobly, for years, on behalf of America’s effort there. It will support the filing fees for immigration from Afghanistan to the US, and should they make it and there’s excess, to support their new life here. Should they not, the remaining funds will go to Pasoon and his family of five that are currently here. Longer story and background below.

 

I had the blessing of serving as an infantry officer in the US Marine Corps. In 2010, my rifle platoon served in the largest offensive of the war, in Marjah, Helmand Province. For our platoon of 60+ Marines and 30-40 Afghan soldiers, those 8+ months would take the lives of (2) Marines, wound (5) Marines, and take the life of another incredible interpreter named “John.” John’s replacement was a nineteen-year-old young man named Pasoon. Pasoon served with skill, courage, and sacrifice in support of the US mission in Afghanistan – both before I got there, through our time together there, and well after I left. During our time together, we were rarely apart, as he served as my individual interpreter. Pasoon served because he believed in what we were doing there, and in hopes of having a better life someday here in the United States. His years of service are memorialized by the scars on his head and torso from IED blasts. Months after I left, he served with a Marine named Kyle Carpenter when Kyle jumped on a grenade and earned the Medal of Honor. Pasoon served day after day, month after month, year after year, as US units rotated home – he continued the effort, in hopes for a brighter future. The stories of his service are more than I can write here.

 

Pasoon got his opportunity, and made it to the US in 2016/17. I was fortunate to write a letter of support for his visa, and when he got here, served as a recommender for him as he successfully sought and gained employment. He’s well, married with three children, working, and pursuing education to become a nurse. As a hardened interpreter of significant combat, he receives none of the benefits of a US veteran. In fact, he’s not yet a citizen. When I had phone issues, I lost Pasoon’s number, and we lost touch for a few years – life got busy. He knew where I last worked, so recently called our hotline looking for me this fall, and they shared his contact info with me. We connected, and by chance, I was traveling and two hours away from him. He came to see me, and brought his friend, whose years of service as an interpreter were also physically evident from the gunfire scars covering his torso. Pasoon is here, safe, building a better life for himself. His family – his parents and six siblings – ranging from children to adults, are not. They’re in Afghanistan, with nowhere to go.

 

He hoped I could help. I honestly don’t know that I can, but I’m not much for not trying, so here we are. A social post garnered the attention and support of an old Marine friend, John Morte, who had an immigration attorney willing to help. We’ve got a plan, and the attorney is providing their services pro bono. We need somewhere around $5,000 for the filing fees for the immigration paperwork of each family member, which are not waived by the federal government. Unrelated to this request for funds, I/we are working to solicit “sponsors” for the families, essentially being no up-front ask/commitment, but signing on that the individual sponsor is potentially liable should the immigrant become a “public charge” and receive federal assistance prior to certain milestones (see form I-134). I and countless others saw the life and limb risks Pasoon took on behalf of the American effort in Afghanistan. We’ll get the sponsors, and if we don’t, I’ll sponsor each I can. The analysis of risk when weighing “what if I do” versus “what if I don’t,” – well, the answer becomes pretty remarkably clear. I need to sleep at night. Trust from such experiences is an incredible thing, and I trust Pasoon. Many times, I entrusted him with my life. Pasoon, of course, wouldn’t and won’t ask me for money, so I’m doing this on his behalf. I know he won’t ask, I know what he needs, and I know the service and integrity of such men.

 

So, the goal is $15,000 – providing coverage for the filing fees, and a small gesture of a starting pot for the family. And of course, I/we won’t stop there. Anything above and beyond the filing fees or other associated fees will go to the family of Pasoon when we’re successful in getting them here. The reality is, the immigration program we’re pursuing as a “best bet,” doesn’t provide much for resources upon arrival. And while not the plan, should we fail, remaining funds will go to Pasoon and his family members currently here stateside in pursuit of their better lives. And even when we get everything “good” here, well, they still have to get out, and I’m working that in parallel.

 

I’ve personally seen, witnessed, and experienced the selfless service and dedication of this young man, in times of incredible hardship. Many, many other Marines have as well. If you know me, I hope that my word of trust and support of a worthwhile effort brings enough for your consideration to donate. If you don’t know me, and want to talk more to know me, my door is open. See me on LinkedIn and we’ll talk. If the world around you seems inhumane at best, and you wonder how you might be able to make a small, worthwhile impact in the world, I encourage you to consider giving. And even if you don’t, positive thoughts are welcomed. This effort surely won’t be quick or without setbacks.

 

I’m taking on risk here. And, when/if I’m an old man, I can look back and know that we tried something and succeeded for the betterment of human lives. I can look back and know that we tried something worthy of pursuit, and failed. Or I can look back and wonder what might have happened if we tried, and frankly, I’m not doing that. Consider giving should your heart lead in that direction. If you have questions, I’m an open book. Someone else said it, but I like it: “You surely can’t do all the good the world needs, but the world needs all the good you can do.”