From Kabul to Idaho: One Man’s Journey to Become a Permanent Resident in the United States
When Hamid’s plan to join his wife, Zahra, in the United States was upended by the fall of Kabul, it took an entire community’s effort, along with the help of Human Rights First and our pro bono partners, to ensure Hamid’s evacuation from Afghanistan and secure status in the U.S.
Despite uncertainty and numerous challenges, Hamid’s story is a testament to the compassion and collective effort of American communities to aid our Afghan allies.
A few years before the fall, Hamid’s future wife and her mother came to the United States as refugees. Their location of choice: Idaho. Why? It reminded them of home. Surprisingly, the weather and atmosphere in Idaho closely resemble those of Afghanistan. After marrying Hamid in 2019, his wife returned to Idaho and filed a family petition so that Hamid could join her in the U.S. Then, when the Taliban took over Afghanistan in 2021, Hamid faced the abrupt disruption of his application process when the American embassy in Kabul shut down.
The local Idaho community that his wife resided in rushed to support the couple. Hamid’s wife found a local American woman who helped get Hamid’s case noticed by government officials, who were tasked with the evacuation of allies in Afghanistan, for a swift evacuation. Because of her help and support, Hamid managed to secure a spot on an evacuation flight, reuniting with his wife and two children in Idaho.
The withdrawal of the U.S. military from Afghanistan led to the arrival of tens of thousands of Afghans, like Hamid, in the United States. In response, Human Rights First created Project: Afghan Legal Assistance (PALA) to coordinate legal organizations, law firms, resettlement agencies, and other stakeholders to provide legal representation for Afghans in the U.S. PALA is working to assist Afghans and their immigration attorneys navigate the complex processes for finding safety in the United States.
For Hamid, his wife, and their two U.S.-born children, Idaho has become their new home as they have built connections and made new memories. Hamid even remarked that “the air reminds me of Afghanistan.” With the assistance of HRF’s Project: Afghan Legal Assistance (PALA) team, Hamid was connected to pro bono attorney Kristin Watnemo, Director Counsel for Privacy and Data Security at Target’s Law Department. Attorney Watnemo initiated a family-based Adjustment of Status application on Hamid’s behalf.
Soon after, the seemingly straightforward application process turned complex as Hamid encountered a significant hurdle in finding a suitable sponsor. Despite his wife’s substantial income, technical IRS tax rules precluded her from qualifying as Hamid’s sponsor. He needed to find an additional financial sponsor for his green card application. As attorney Watnemo explained, “being fairly isolated in Idaho, it was not easy to find a joint sponsor, but eventually a local family connected through the Samaritan’s Purse organization, agreed to sponsor him.”
Four months later, Hamid’s green card application was approved, marking a triumphant end to a challenging chapter in his life. Reflecting on his journey, he said, “I was connected to Human Rights First while I was in the Refugee Camp at Fort Dix with the other Afghans that were evacuated with me. The legal processes were already very confusing, but thanks to my attorney, Kristen, and Human Rights First, we were able to get my green card. They made things easier for me.”
His sponsor shared Hamid’s recollection and expressed that, “The team from Cornerstone church has been honored to get to know Hamid and his family. It’s been a joy to help reunite Hamid and his family and to get to meet Hamid’s son, who was born in the year after his arrival in Boise. Seeing his gratitude, strong work ethic, and love for family has blessed us, and we hope to remain a part of his life and story in the U.S.”
In the wake of the Afghan crisis, the care that Americans have demonstrated for people in need has been truly remarkable. Regular Americans in every branch of society have provided support, from neighbors donating household items to attorneys donating their skills, or, as was the case here, a good Samaritan pledging to serve as a financial sponsor. Within the U.S. government, while we have encountered USCIS troubleshooting issues with our clients’ pending applications, we also have had the privilege of working alongside U.S. military and veterans in advocating for Afghans in the U.S. and those left behind in Afghanistan.
The compassion Americans have shown to Afghans has been unwavering. Since the fall of Kabul and the evacuation of at-risk Afghans to the U.S., Americans all over the country have stepped up and gone above and beyond to help our Afghan allies. These collective efforts showcased in Hamid’s journey exemplify the power of community, determination, and legal advocacy in overcoming adversity. The Afghan crisis has illuminated the compassion that American communities harbor for people in distress, and Hamid’s successful journey is a testament to the support that our Afghan allies have found across the nation.
