Help an Afghan Ally and His Family Reach Safety— Volunteers stand ready. Finances stand in the way.

An Afghan father and husband, who served alongside U.S. forces, has just received final permission to enter the United States with his wife and five children. They must leave Pakistan by August 31 due to constant risk of detention, deportation, and family separation. Permission to enter the U.S. is a rare opportunity for safety and stability.

After two and a half years in limbo, this family has finally been granted a Special Immigrant Visa — a legal path available to Afghans who have served our military. Federal funding cuts to traditional US resettlement programs require local volunteers to assume the financial and case worker responsibilities of welcoming these families. Our team of Seattle-based volunteers is trained and ready to tackle this challenge. Financial need is the only barrier preventing this family from traveling to the US to begin their resettlement journey.

"We are totally out of funds right now. Our phone communication is cut off [due to changing visa restrictions for Afghans in Pakistan] and cannot operate a SIM card. We are only connected through Wi-Fi in our apartment. We cannot go outside easily because there is risk of detention. Although we have a letter from the US embassy in Islamabad. There are reports that people are detained despite the letter or they are asked for large amounts of money. At another level, we are genuinely worried about a sudden change of policy by the US government as well."

— Afghan SIV recipient and father of five, name withheld for security

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A Rare Victory in an Overwhelmed System

This family represents one of the few success stories in a system stretched to its breaking point.

According to the latest US Department of State data, as of January 2025, more than 53,000 Afghan allies who have already received Chief of Mission approval were still waiting for their visa interviews, while only about 11,000 visas remained available. The math is unforgiving.

Since the Special Immigrant Visa program was created in 2009, Congress has authorized just 50,500 total visas for Afghans who served alongside American forces. That's a fraction of the total who supported U.S. operations during twenty years of war. And even among those who make it through the years-long application and vetting process, only 37% of cases are approved.

This father and his family have beaten those odds.

Now is our chance to support their story and lives of courage.

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Why Your Help Is Urgently Needed

This family escaped Afghanistan after the fall of Kabul, targeted because the father worked directly with the U.S. Department of Defense. For the past two years, they've lived under increasing threat in Pakistan, where Afghans face arbitrary detention, deportation, and worsening restrictions.

"We are facing an overwhelming amount of challenges… including the danger of being expelled and forcefully deported back to Afghanistan. We will appreciate your expediency and cooperation in this matter."

— Afghan SIV recipient and father of five, name withheld for security

Their U.S. visa is approved. Their documentation is in hand. But they remain stranded in a country that no longer offers them legal status, mobility, or safety.

They cannot wait any longer.

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What Your Donation Supports

We are a team of local volunteers in Seattle, working under Community Sponsorship Hub, and as a Welcome Circle with the Archdiocese of Seattle's Immigrant and Refugee Ministries. In partnership with the Archdiocese, St James Cathedral is also partnering in our community care efforts for this family's resettlement.

Your contributions will go directly toward urgent and essential costs, such as:

Our goal: $26,500 (part of $36,500 total needed)

We'll prioritize the use of these funds as necessary to meet the family’s most urgent needs during their first months in the U.S.

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Why This Matters

This is one of the last lawful avenues for Afghan allies to reach safety. After everything this family has endured — including years of hiding, threats, and bureaucratic limbo — your support affirms that their hope is not in vain.

"This wouldn't have been possible without the gracious guidance and assistance of some wonderful people like you. This is a big moment in our lives… We will need your gracious support like always."

— Afghan SIV recipient and father of five, name withheld for security

Supporting this work enables our community to bridge the gaps in broken systems. To make this family's fear of deportation a distant memory. To help them resettle with dignity, and build a new life.

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How You Can Help

Your donation — whether $10 or $1,000 — helps a father who risked everything for U.S. troops to give his children a safe future. Join us in supporting this family’s courage and resilience in the face of great obstacles.

They've done the impossible — navigating a system that fails most who try.

We must raise the full amount by August 31 to ensure the family can depart before visa restrictions or police corruption force them back into hiding.

If you or someone you know is in the Seattle area and is interested in supporting in other ways, please leave a comment and we will be in touch about more ways to get involved.

Every dollar matters. Every act of solidarity counts.

With gratitude,

Jamie Alm, and a team of Seattle neighbors