SIV STORIES
Aziz
Aziz was an interpreter for six years in Afghanistan, and speaks five languages. He was an interpreter for NATO Brigadier General Gunter Katz. He is the first SIV assisted in Rochester by our volunteers, who helped with home furnishings, employment, and rides. His children were the first in our SIV children's horseback riding program. He now has a full time job at Wegmans, and a second job using his language skills as a court and medical interpreter. Aziz recently purchased a home, and his family is thriving. He recently became a U.S. citizen, taking his oath to our country at a swearing-in ceremony at the Women’s Rights National Historical Park in Seneca Falls.
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Asif and Pete
Asif had been a combat interpreter for several years in Afghanistan, and worked with "Captain Pete." He had to flee to Germany because of the Taliban, and the delay in the U.S. issuing him a Special Immigrant Visa. Once his visa was issued, however, he was then denied entry into the U.S. when making his connecting flight. Late in the evening, he messaged Program Director Ellen Smith for help, who got in contact with soldiers who he had served with, including "Captain Pete." We quickly formulated a plan, and contacted members of congress to intervene on behalf of Asif. We are happy to report that six weeks later he was safely in the U.S., where he now resides with his wife, and is working full time as well as attending college.
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Bashir
Bashir worked several years on a drug taskforce with the U.S. in Afghanistan. He contacted Program Director Ellen Smith with a medical emergency shortly after getting his visa. His medication was running out, his daughter was diagnosed with a hole in her heart. With help from our partner at Miles4Migrants, we were able to get Bashir and his wife and daughter safely to Rochester within days to get the care they needed. Less than a year later, Bashir is ready to graduate from the electricians training program, and will be a master electrician within three years. He helps recently arrived SIVs with rides and food shopping. He is a recipient of one of our car grants.
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