A former Green Beret has raised $35,000 to help an Afghan interpreter escape the country after trying for more than a decade to get the State Department to grant him a special visa to come to the United States.
Greg Adams, who served in Afghanistan as part of the US Army Special Forces, launched a GoFundMe to help Moneer, an Afghan who has helped American troops in the country, relocate to another country.
According to Adams, Moneer ‘distinguished himself with every unit he served on over the years, especially Army Special Forces.’
‘Our ability to communicate with locals in local Tribal leadership, Afghan government, and Security Forces were instrumental to mission success.’
A former US Army Green Beret has raised some $35,000 on GoFundMe to help Moneer (right), an Afghan interpreter who risked his life to help American forces, flee his home country
Greg Adams, who served in Afghanistan as part of the US Army Special Forces, writes that since 2010, he has been in contact with members of Congress, nonprofit organizations, and attorneys in an effort to speed up Moneer’s special immigrant visa application, but to no avail
Adams is seen above on the far left. Moneer is seen third from right
According to Adams, Moneer ‘distinguished himself with every unit he served on over the years, especially Army Special Forces. Our ability to communicate with locals in local Tribal leadership, Afghan government, and Security Forces were instrumental to mission success.’
The image above from 2010 shows Moneer with members of US Special Forces in Afghanistan
Adams added: 'We relied on his judgement and advice every day. He has been blown up by an IED (improvised explosive device), been in more firefights than many experienced soldiers, and served the US, NATO, and Afghanistan militaries for over a decade.
'Moneer receives threats on this life, has had his home and land stolen from him, and is vocal and active about sharing the loss of his fellow interpreters from extremists targeting those that helped the United States.'
'His efforts kept elite US service members alive on hundreds of dangerous missions and resulted in adversaries behind bars and more stable communities - at least for a time,' Adams wrote on GoFundMe.
'Despite this record and the moral obligation we have to protect these interpreters, the United States government has fallen flat on the promise of safety for Moneer and his wife.'
Adams posted this image showing Moneer (right) and himself (left) speaking to village elders and recruits in Afghanistan
Adams writes that since 2010, he has been in contact with members of Congress, nonprofit organizations, and attorneys in an effort to speed up Moneer’s special immigrant visa application, but to no avail.
The $35,000 raised on GoFundMe will fund Moneer’s and his wife’s evacuation to Turkey, where he would then apply for asylum with the United Nations Refugee Agency.
Last week, Adams wrote that Moneer and his wife were out of Afghanistan, though he had yet to reach the primary third country where they will stay while their application for a special immigrant visa is processed.
‘We’re excited that Moneer and his wife are safe and that’s what counts right now,’ Adams wrote.
DailyMail.com has reached out to the State Department seeking comment,.
According to Adams, Moneer is seen above at the airport in Kabul last week
