A former Afghan soldier has been held in a Texas detention center for the last two months after he illegally crossed the border while trying to escape the Taliban. Nearly two dozen veterans groups are pleading for Biden to intervene.
Abdul Wasi Safi, second from left, stands with others in his Afghan special forces unit. He wears the rank and insignia of a Dvahomi baridman, or second lieutenant., our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news.
Wasi, a former Afghan special forces intelligence officer, crossed the U.S.-Mexico border near Eagle Pass on Sept. 30. Border Patrol apprehended Wasi and charged him with afor failure to present the necessary documents to remain in the U.S. More than two months later, he remains in detention under U.S. Marshals Service custody in Eden Detention Center.
“The Afghan Special Forces faithfully served America, and not one of them should have to endure a path like this to reach safety,” the letter reads. “We urge you to fulfill America’s promise to Lieutenant Abdul Wasi Safi and begin to heal the moral injury by granting him a parolee status as he awaits a hearing on his justifiable asylum claim.”
The letter to Biden adds yet another mile marker to the monthslong journey around the globe for Wasi. Wasi took to hiding, fearing the worst for himself and his family as he heard reports of terrible killings of those he had served with in the Afghan special forces. Wasi had hoped to live with his brother in Houston while the U.S. processed his asylum claim. Instead, Wasi was charged criminally after he was arrested by U.S. Border Patrol and held in Del Rio.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Afghan refugees hoping for easier pathway to permanent residencyThe Afghan Adjustment Act would provide a pathway to permanent residency for Afghan refugees.
Read more »
Afghan Refugee, Brought to U.S. by Biden, Deported After Sexually Abusing ToddlerAn Afghan refugee, brought to the United States as part of President Joe Biden’s massive resettlement operation, has now been deported after having been convicted of sexually abusing a three-year-old girl in Virginia.
Read more »
Biden Admin Opens First-of-Its-Kind Civil Rights Probe Into Book Banning in Texas SchoolsThe superintendent of schools in Granbury, Texas denied the existence of transgender and nonbinary people before ordering the removal of 130 book titles from library shelves, prompting a federal investigation.
Read more »
Biden called out on border crisis by Texas Democrat: 'Absolutely the president should be here'Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, and MSNBC anchor Josê Diaz-Balart insisted President Joe Biden show more urgency in solving the crisis at the southern border.
Read more »
Tucker presses Texas governor on state's actions to secure border while Biden fails toTexas Gov. Greg Abbott joined Tucker Carlson on 'Tucker Carlson Tonight' to debate the veracity with which his National Guard is trying to secure the border.
Read more »
College football signing day: Live updates from Houston areaWhere Houston-area players are signing and tracking UH, Rice, Texas A&M and Texas...
Read more »