KMTV Reporter/Anchor Kevin Boughton spoke with a man whose work as an interpreter for American troops in Afghanistan made him a target for the Taliban, forcing him to flee to the United States.
Below, Shafiqullah Jahish describes how he came to be an interpreter and what it was like: (Watch the KMTV.com exclusive video above)
“My name is Shafiqullah Jahish. I am from Afghanistan, and this is the story of my life.”
Jahish was born in Kabul, Afghanistan, in 1987. He moved to the United States in June 2014.
“And after I was born, the war started. And from the day that I remember, there is war till now.”
He took private lessons to learn English, earning a scholarship to study in the United States. He returned to Afghanistan in 2006, eager to use what he learned.
“First, I thought I will start working with the U.S. military. Again the same thing. I saw some Americans on the street, went over and started talking to them and they told me that you have pretty good English. Why don’t you join as an interpreter?”
Jahish warked for American contractors, the State Dept., Justice Dept. and Air Force. The Taliban considered any Afghan who helped Americans the enemy.
“Everybody who worked for the U.S. military or coalition forces, or not even the coalition forces, those who worked with the Afghan Government, they were the enemies.”
Working as an interpreter was dangerous.
“These are some of the things I didn’t event share with my family.”
“They knew everything about me. They told me about what my car looks like, the plate number on that, where I live, how many kids do I have, where my dad works – everything.”
The threat was close.
“A friend of mine, we worked at the same base. He was beheaded by the Taliban.”
“Did you ever fear that this job would cost you your life?”
“Of Course. The day that, not just me, every interpreter, when they started, they knew that they would be targeted by someone. But still they wanted to give something to their country.”
Moving to the U.S. – Jahish said he waited 19 months for a special visa.
“For my wife and kids, it was a culture shock. It was hard for them to adjust.”
What is your dream for Afghanistan?
“Well, right now, I just want to see a peaceful Afghanistan. From the day I was born, I didn’t see a day that was peaceful. There was no shooting or no killing and probably that would be the biggest dream. And even you talk to the most of the Afghans, they will say that even if you don’t eat, we don’t food, we don’t want clothes, but we want peace.”
Do you think it’ll ever happen?
“Well from what I see right now, I am hopeless. I don’t know. I don’t think so.”
Other interpreters are still waiting to learn if they can move to the United States.
“I hope that the U.S. government can do something about them because their life is in danger. They cannot move out of Kabul City. And even, they don’t feel safe in Kabul because of working with the U.S. government, and now their visas are denied.
Watch KMTV reporter/anchor Kevin Boughton’s full report on Jahish’s life with his wife and four kids since moving to the U.S.
“I wish one day I could go back and serve for my people.”
