Finding Humanity and Calm: An Afghan Family's Story

I arrived early and my clients arrived earlier. I walked up to the party of 7 waiting outside the federal building doors for me. Mom, Dad, 4 young children, an interpreter, and a friend. This was a very important interview. This family was evacuated from the Kabul Airport in Afghanistan during the chaotic U.S. military withdrawal in 2021. The husband and father of this family had worked faithfully for the U.S. military for 8 years. He had already received a high-clearance Chief of Mission Special Immigrant Visa, but stress was high as he was still subject to intense questioning.

Thankfully, the USCIS officer assigned to our case is an expert in Afghan issues. He greeted the family in Persian Dari and spoke the language with them whenever he could. He addressed the wife and mother with respect, and he offered the children candy and stickers at the end of the interview. Our client did very well during the interview, he spoke his truth. I glanced over at the family. Two children sharing a chair, the one closest to the wall asleep, face smushed into the arm rest. We had waited for two hours just to be seen. The children had every reason to be fussy. And yet, the parents treated them with grace and sweetness, in the midst of great stress, recounting the days of evacuation, recounting the years of living in active combat. They were some of the lucky ones--the whole family was able to make it out together. They were able to find each other at the airport, to obtain clearance through several checkpoints, and to not be stopped by the Taliban on the way to the airport. Their unity was palpable, passing the baby back and forth without a question. As our client answered questions, he rocked the youngest baby in his arms. I was struck by the resilience of this family. They have every reason to be bitter and hardened, yet they remain tender and loving. They displayed that their humanity will not be broken by dehumanization. Like many who have lost almost everything, they seem at peace with the fact that they can't always be in control. After four hours, we exited the building.In a display of tenderness and humanity, the family invited me to lunch at their home. We ate and drank with tranquility. Please keep this family in mind in the next few weeks. We wait and hope for a full approval.

by Bree Salthouse