in 2013."I ran out of grenades. I was literally counting my bullets, and I remember thinking, we might not make it out of this one alive.""I saw Matt Zeller, that he was alive in a ditch and there were two Taliban behind him to kill him," Shinwari recalled."I shot the two Taliban and I saved Matt Zeller's life."U.S.
Shinwari had to wait nearly three years for a visa. He was on a Taliban kill list and spent most of that time on a U.S. military base near Kabul for his own safety. Only rarely could he travel a few miles to his home for brief visits with his wife and two young children. Janis Shinwari wearing his body armor in Afghanistan in 2008. He worked with U.S. troops in some of the most dangerous parts of the country, and the Taliban put him on a 'kill list.'Janis Shinwari wearing his body armor in Afghanistan in 2008. He worked with U.S. troops in some of the most dangerous parts of the country, and the Taliban put him on a 'kill list.'When Shinwari and his family reached the U.S. in 2013, a GoFundMe campaign raised $35,000 within days.
RepKinzinger It took 12 freaking years to grant this afghani hero citizenship for saving US soldiers?!?! RealHero
RepKinzinger The delays are unconscionable. There are Iraqis stuck there who helped our military and can’t get out now. Non citizens who served in these conflicts have been deported. This was too long coming for his service and there’s a long way to go to make things right for these ppl
Dear all. I hope you fine and healthy I have worked for USACE for more than three years but still I am waiting for Com Approval from US Embassy so kindly need your consideration and help for my case because my family situation is too bad.
GoatsandSoda 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻💞💞💞💞
He did better than the president.
Hasn't realDonaldTrump tried to or deported people who have SERVED in our Armed Forces? Don't fall for the 🐂💩.
openargs I am presently surprised by the ending. I'm so used to these stories ending with the US abandoning these brave allies.
I hope he is treated well by his fellow citizens, I'm sad that I am not confident he will be.
YAY🇺🇸
even a foreigner was very loyal to his own group. trump cant even try to be patriot.
Congratulations. Tk u for saving lives❤ God's blessings upon you.
GoatsandSoda Congratulations
I'm honestly shocked that Trumpp and his evil sidekick Shifty Stephen Miller haven't deported him yet
👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Don't let Trump find out he'll deport him
He’s the opposite of Trump. He picked up a rifle to help the US troop against Taliban, not be privy to the scheme of Russian bounties to Taliban for US solidiers and then do nothing.
Beautiful story. It is nice to be reminded there is good in the world.
Wow, & it only took US 12 yrs to thank him?
But no one wants to talk about how hard it is for the people that saved American troops to become American citizens🤦🏼♂️
What he's really lucky because the norm is we leave those locals (who helped the military) behind the face the consequences. I'm surprised anyone helps us.
Lucky him
Congratulations! 💕
About damn time
Welcome home and thank you for your service to your country. We as fellow Americans are grateful.
Welcome home.
Good! Welcome, Mr. Shinwari.
Better watch out. Trump willdeport him if he protected our US citizens.
A great story about a LEGAL immigrant!
Awesome hero! JanisShenwary Already a great American!❤️🇺🇸 NoOneLeftBehind PPR_Org is a worthy endeavor. I hope that you have received a warm welcome to this country, but I fear you have encountered some hate. 😭 As you know, we’re in upheaval. Working on it!
Congratulations! And Welcome.
Thank you for your service. You deserve this new life and freedom.
i give it a few weeks before GOP calls him a terrorist spy
I bet he is not voting democrat
I’m sure trump and the GOP will find a way to strip that citizenship soon.
This is a good way to let foreign intelligence into your military.
What an inspiration! Welcome, my fellow American!
Thank you Janis for your bravery and service.
Thank you for your brave service Sir.
Welcome Mr. Shinwari. Welcome home
I too am happy my interpreters both got to come to the US! Great service!
veterans have also been deported to other parts of the world, including India, Costa Rica, the Philippines and Kenya.Citizenship war USA Veterans
Did it really need to take that long? His application should have been moved to the front of the line.
Yeah shows you how much they appreciate the lives of our service men.. Just fkn ridiculous bureacracy.. Let someone else die for this wicked country.. I only spend 6 months here anyway!
Mr. Shinwari declined the $35,000 GoFundMe and used it to set up a non profit to help other Afghans who had worked for US military. Amazing selflessness!🇺🇸
Americans welcome everyone who comes here the legal way.
Bravo... when he gets old and we have a pandemic again we will let him die because economy and elections are more important.. 🇺🇸
Were his wife and children granted citizenship? Where are they?
Loyalty breeds loyalty in the military. Kudos to him
A brave man & great story about him.
He deserves it too ! 👏💯%
Wish this were true for all Afghanis, Kurds, Iraqis who supported us as well as Vietnamese, Laotian, Cambodian, and others. We have a poor record compared to other countries. Congratulations to Janis Shinwari!
Should have happened faster. Hero!
Some good news. I hope there’s been and more action to get this process expedited. Can’t help but think of interpreters and their families who are in danger in their own county because of their work with the U.S military.
Why would he want to become the citizen of such a racist and oppressive country.... Oh, wait.
Hooray!!
It’s about freakin time! 12 years later? He should have been made a citizen immediately.
well that was fast
Good news. Why is this so hard to for other interpreters and guides that help US troops in war?
Congratulations to Janis. Later this year, my Afghan interpreter will also be taking his oath.
I am surprised. I thought this story would be that trump sent him back as an unwanted immigrant to the most dangerous area In Afghanistan. I am relieved and happy to read that he is now a citizen. Welcome to the USA, Janis. I wish our country looked more welcoming to you.
Has done more for Americans than POTUS
Thank you for your service and sacrifice, Janis. Your nation is forever in debt to you
We're not worthy of that kind of citizen.
If it was up to Trump and his goons this would happen...because it already has.
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