President Biden has asked veterans to intervene in the asylum case of an Afghan soldier detained after crossing the border

President Biden is being asked by US veterans groups to intervene in an asylum case involving an Afghan soldier who once fought the Taliban.

Abdul Wasi Safi previously served with US Special Operations Forces in Afghanistan and, after the fall of Kabul in August 2021, continued to fight the Taliban alongside the northern resistance.

Wasi visited several safe houses after being forced to flee Afghanistan and relied on US veteran volunteers for help and possible resettlement, but was met with « harsh and skilled treatment « terrorist by the local community » when he entered Pakistan, according to a letter from US veterans groups that was sent to Biden on December 21.

“He traveled on foot or by bus through 10 countries, surviving torture, robbery and assassination attempts, to seek asylum in the United States because of threats to his life and expecting to a hero’s welcome from its American allies, » the letter wrote. States.

AFGHAN SPECIAL FORCES COMMANDO SEARCHING FOR ASYLUM IS IN BROKEN US IMMIGRATION SYSTEM

While Wasi was able to find his way to America’s southern border on September 30, he was arrested by US Border Patrol agents and charged with unlawful entry, the letter said. Wasi is currently being held at Eden Detention Center in Texas.

Veterans groups urge Biden in their letter to grant Wasi parole status.

« Given known Taliban reprisals against Afghan Special Operations Forces, Lt. Wasi’s asylum case is certainly credible and his death is certain should he be deported to Afghanistan. Afghan Special Forces have faithfully served America, and none of them should have to endure a path like this to achieve safety, » the letter read. « We urge you to keep America’s promise to Lieutenant Abdul Wasi Safi and to begin to heal the hurt feelings by granting him parole status as he awaits a hearing on his justifiable asylum claim. »

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Photo of Abdul Wasi Safi, a US-trained special forces agent who escaped Taliban control, fled to Texas and was arrested for crossing the border seeking asylum.
(Sami-ullah Safi)

Groups such as Special Operations Association of America, Save Our Allies, Ukraine NGO Coordination Network and Project Exodus are among those who signed the letter.

In an earlier phone interview with Fox News from Eden Detention Center, Wasi said he was disappointed with America’s response when he crossed the border,

« I was in a special forces commando unit with the US military, » Wasi said. « I wanted to come to the United States. I didn’t choose another country to help me because I was with them. But I came here and they put me in prison. »

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Photo of Abdul Wasi Safi, a US-trained special forces agent who escaped Taliban control, fled to Texas and was arrested for crossing the border seeking asylum.
(Sami-ullah Safi)

“Ecuador, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala and Mexico. I traveled all this distance to come to the United States because I thought and hoped that the US government would help me, » Wasi said.

Fox News’ Jennifer Griffin, Liz Friden and Krista Garvin contributed to this report.