Help Baten and Maryam thrive in the US

This fundraiser is to raise money to help Baten and Maryam get started in their new life in the United States. The story of how Baten and Maryam finally made it to the United States could realistically fill an entire book, but I’ll do my best to give you the Cliff’s Notes version.

A quick prologue: I met Baten as a US Marine Infantryman in Afghanistan and he was attached to my squad as our interpreter. His value for the 6 months I was there couldn’t be overstated. He was by our side from the moment we got off the helicopters at 2 AM in Taliban-held territory, during the 1st Battalion 5th Marines’ assault to regain control of the Nawa district, and throughout the long months building both local trust and infrastructure while holding the Taliban at bay. In the end, my unit and I went back to the US while Baten stayed behind to continue helping for the next 10 years. First with numerous other Marine units and eventually at the US Embassy in Kabul where he earned numerous accolades.

The first chapter is both happy and heartbreaking. In Kabul, Baten met a lovely dentist, Maryam, and they were married in a joyous celebration. However, within the next 6 months, the US forces withdrew from Afghanistan, and the Taliban quickly moved into Kabul while the Afghan President fled his people. That’s when Baten started getting calls from the Taliban, in the one call he answered, a Taliban commander said they were looking for him and knew he worked with the US. They fled their apartment, and started trying to escape to the US evacuation at the Kabul airport. For several days, Baten, along with several other interpreters, were in contact with Marines in the US they’d served with. Those Marines tried using all the contacts at their disposal to get them to the front of the mobs and through the gates of the airport. Unfortunately, amidst the suffocating press of bodies, the terrorist bombs, and Taliban checkpoint beatings, Baten and Maryam couldn’t make it through the gates.

Unable to escape directly to the US, with what little possessions they had, they fled to Mazar-i Sharif in Afghanistan’s northern reaches. Here, they continued to work with US Marines to try to get a flight out of the country. They kept at this for several months until they eventually changed tack and headed anonymously back to Kabul where they could pay a bribe to get a Visa that would let them into Pakistan. Once in Pakistan and out of immediate danger, they set their sights on their final destination of the United States. With the aid of an NGO, they were, after waiting 6 months, able to get a temporary humanitarian Visa to go to Brazil. Once there, they were able to submit their paperwork for a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV), which allows Afghan interpreters who worked with the US to come to America with a pathway to permanent residency.

Nearly a year elapsed in Brazil. Even with the help of immigration lawyers, there was no movement on their SIV. All they were told was the paperwork was pending review and there were no estimates on when it would move forward. With their Brazilian Visa nearing expiration, they made the difficult decision to try to make their way to the US border and apply for humanitarian asylum in person. As if this story wasn’t tense enough, this is where things get difficult. They were able to fly to the northwest part of Brazil, but then they had to make their way by bus, boat, and foot to Mexico. The journey took months and included numerous bribes, an eight day trek through Central American jungle, and even a hurricane strike in Mexico. Finally, in December of 2023, they were at the US - Mexico border in Tijuana with an appointment to see border agents.

That pretty much brings us to the present. In the last few months, they were granted humanitarian parole which allowed them to legally enter the US while waiting for a final court ruling. They’ve applied and received work permits and are both actively looking for jobs. Maryam has enrolled in ESL classes and Baten is working on his driver’s permit / license. Their fortitude and courage is nothing less than astounding.

Up to now, they’ve been staying in temporary lodging, but we are actively trying to get them into an apartment rental. Any funds you’re willing to donate will go towards expenses needed to get them up and thriving (such as food, furniture, and a car once Baten gets his license). They would pay for it themselves, but, wouldn’t you know, the Taliban froze their bank accounts.