An Afghan soldier named Abdul Wasi Safi, who escaped from the Taliban, has been granted asylum in the United States. Wasi Safi, 27, fled to the US following the withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan earlier this year. His older brother, Sami Safi, revealed that they were concerned Wasi Safi might be sent back to Afghanistan, where he would face certain death at the hands of the Taliban due to his association with the US military. However, their fears were alleviated when they received the news that Wasi Safi’s asylum request had been approved. He can now live safely in the US. Wasi Safi, an intelligence officer for the Afghan National Security Forces, embarked on a dangerous journey last year, eventually crossing 10 countries and reaching Brazil. From there, he made his way to the US-Mexico border near Eagle Pass, Texas, where he was arrested in September 2022. After spending several months in detention, he was released with the help of lawyers and lawmakers. Wasi Safi’s case highlights the plight of Afghan citizens who assisted the US but were left behind during the chaotic military withdrawal from Afghanistan. More than 90,000 Afghans have arrived in the US since the withdrawal, including translators and other personnel who worked with American soldiers. While many were evacuated via military planes, others, like Wasi Safi, had to find their own way to the US. The Afghan Adjustment Act, a proposed law to simplify the immigration process for these individuals, has yet to pass Congress. Wasi Safi’s asylum approval not only grants him the right to live and work in the US but will also allow him to seek treatment for injuries sustained during his journey, including dental and hearing impairments. His brother, Sami Safi, hopes that this is the first step towards reuniting their family and bringing their parents and siblings to the US, as they continue to face threats in Afghanistan due to Wasi Safi’s work with the US military.