• Home
  • News
    • Global Operations
      • Asia
      • Africa
      • Europe
      • Latin America
      • Middle East
      • North America
    • Industry
      • Asia
      • Africa
      • Europe
      • Latin America
      • Middle East
      • North America
      • Oceana
    • Special Interest
      • Asia
      • Africa
      • Europe
      • Latin America
      • Middle East
      • North America
      • Oceana
  • Market
    • Coming Soon
  • Intelligence
    • Job Board
    • Events
    • Contract Awards
    • USMC Deception Manual
  • Resources
    • Contact Us
    • About Us
    • Editorial Policy
    • Privacy Policy
  • Home
  • News
    • Global Operations
      • Asia
      • Africa
      • Europe
      • Latin America
      • Middle East
      • North America
    • Industry
      • Asia
      • Africa
      • Europe
      • Latin America
      • Middle East
      • North America
      • Oceana
    • Special Interest
      • Asia
      • Africa
      • Europe
      • Latin America
      • Middle East
      • North America
      • Oceana
  • Market
    • Coming Soon
  • Intelligence
    • Job Board
    • Events
    • Contract Awards
    • USMC Deception Manual
  • Resources
    • Contact Us
    • About Us
    • Editorial Policy
    • Privacy Policy
Login
Join Free
Home
Asia
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
Asia
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
Asia
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
Coming Soon
Job Board
Events
Contact Awards
USMC Deception Manual
Login
Join Free
Home Special Interest

Betrayal at the Border: Former Afghan Special Forces Soldier Detained While Attempting to Reach Asylum

The story of two Afghan brothers, Abdul Wasi Safi and Sami-ullah Safi, highlights the intersection of two American failures - the U.S. war in Afghanistan and its immigration system

  • Editor Staff
  • January 20, 2023
UK coalition forces, Turkish coalition forces, and U.S. Marines assist a child while evacuating Afghanistan
UK coalition forces, Turkish coalition forces, and U.S. Marines assist a child during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan, Aug. 20. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Victor Mancilla) 
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterLinkedIn
Update: The federal charges against Abdul Wasi Safi have been dropped following months of bipartisan congressional effort and public outrage . An assistant U.S. attorney asked a judge this week to dismiss the case “in the interest of justice.”

 

The story of two Afghan brothers, Abdul Wasi Safi and Sami-ullah Safi, highlights the intersection of two American failures – the U.S. war in Afghanistan and its immigration system. Abdul Wasi Safi worked as an officer in Afghanistan’s special forces, alongside U.S. troops, fighting the Taliban. However, when the U.S. military suddenly exited the country, leaving the Taliban to take control, Abdul Wasi Safi and many others like him were left behind. They were not paid by the U.S. government and were unable to get visas to escape. The Taliban hunted them down, and many went into hiding or fled.

A former lieutenant and intelligence officer in Afghanistan’s elite special forces, “Wasi” had fought alongside American soldiers in Afghanistan’s 20-year war. When he arrived at Eagles Pass, he expressed his fear of being returned to Afghanistan. His older brother, Samiullah Safi, a former interpreter for the US military who is now a citizen living in Houston, is calling for Wasi’s release from federal custody so he can live in Houston with him while he awaits a hearing on his asylum claim. Samiullah is urging the Biden administration to acknowledge Wasi’s service and demonstrate what America stands for by never leaving its allies behind.

Abdul Wasi Safi went on a harrowing journey across two continents. With the help of multiple veteran groups, Abdul Wasi Safi was able to initially escaped to Pakistan. However, the conditions upon arrival where almost as dangerous as Afghanistan itself, with reports that Pakistan officials where working with the Taliban to identify, detain, and ultimately disappear former Afghan military personal.  After reaching Brazil, Wasi tracked through treacherous jungles, and across multiple borders to finally arrive at his final destination, the U.S. He crossed the Rio Grande, and after helping women and children make their way across deeper water, was charged with a federal crime for illegally entering the country.

The story highlights the difficulties faced by many Afghan citizens who worked alongside U.S. troops during the war and are now at risk of retaliation from the Taliban. While the U.S. government issued special visas to over 34,000 Afghans who qualified for various reasons, including those who worked as interpreters for U.S. special forces, many more like Abdul Wasi Safi were left behind.

Abdul Wasi Safi was charged with a federal misdemeanor for failing to present himself at a port of entry with paperwork proving he was allowed to be in the U.S. He was denied bond despite his brothers desire to house him while he awaited trial, and was transferred to an immigration detention center in Eden. His brother is working to help him find immigration attorneys and has reached out to Texas members of Congress for help with his brother’s case. However, he has faced challenges, with some representatives unable to intervene after the case has been referred to the courts.

The story of the Safi brothers highlights the need for the U.S. government to address the challenges faced by those who helped U.S. forces during the war in Afghanistan, and has led to many veterans’ groups, including Crenshaw and Waltz, calling on President Biden to grant Safi parole.

The fact that Safi is being treated differently from other migrants who did not serve alongside the United States has led to some calling this situation a “direct assault” and a “betrayal,” to Afghan Allies.

 

Editor Staff

Editor Staff

The Editor Staff at SOFX comprises a diverse, global team of dedicated staff writers and skilled freelancers. Together, they form the backbone of our reporting and content creation.

Subscribe
Login
Notify of
Please login to comment
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
ADVERTISEMENT

Trending News

New Photo of China’s New Ekranoplan Emerges

New Photo of China’s New Ekranoplan Emerges

by Editor Staff
July 10, 2025
0

A newly released image provides the clearest view yet of China’s new wing-in-ground effect (WIG) aircraft, commonly known as an...

Taliban Invites US Tourists in New Tourism Video that Features Mock Executions

Taliban Invites US Tourists in New Tourism Video that Features Mock Executions

by Editor Staff
July 11, 2025
0

The Taliban has invited U.S. citizens to visit Afghanistan four years after the fall of Kabul, through a new tourism...

Russia May Scrap Its Only Aircraft Carrier After Years of Repairs and Setbacks

Russia May Scrap Its Only Aircraft Carrier After Years of Repairs and Setbacks

by Editor Staff
July 11, 2025
0

Russia is considering scrapping its only aircraft carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov, after years of failed repairs, rising costs and repeated...

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Next Post
A china flag and TikTok app

TikTok, Targeting, and Why You Should Care

A Navy Dolphin jumps out of the water

The Navy trained Dolphins: Underwater Guardians

997 Morrison Dr. Suite 200, Charleston, SC 29403

News

  • Global Operations
  • Special Interest
  • Industry
  • Global Operations
  • Special Interest
  • Industry

Services

  • Membership Page
  • Merchandise
  • Recruiting
  • Membership Page
  • Merchandise
  • Recruiting

Resources

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Global Operations
      • Asia
      • Africa
      • Europe
      • Latin America
      • Middle East
      • North America
    • Industry
      • Asia
      • Africa
      • Europe
      • Latin America
      • Middle East
      • North America
      • Oceana
    • Special Interest
      • Asia
      • Africa
      • Europe
      • Latin America
      • Middle East
      • North America
      • Oceana
  • Market
    • Coming Soon
  • Intelligence
    • Job Board
    • Events
    • Contract Awards
    • USMC Deception Manual
  • Resources
    • Contact Us
    • About Us
    • Editorial Policy
    • Privacy Policy
Subscribe
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.

Log in to your account

Lost your password?
wpDiscuz