Advocating for Afghan Allies: A Visit to Capitol Hill with the Central Virginia Advocates for Afghans (CVAA)
By: Zahir H., Former Captain, Afghan National Army (ANA) | Advocate for Afghan Allies Left Behind
On February 6, 2025, I was honored to join the Central Virginia Advocates for Afghans (CVAA) on a critical mission to Capitol Hill. Our delegation of 22—comprising lawyers, advocates, teachers, and Afghan refugees—came together to demand action for Afghan families still in peril. Our objective was clear: to ensure that those who stood with the United States were not forgotten.
My Journey and Unbreakable Commitment
As a former Captain in the Afghan National Army (ANA), I dedicated four and a half years to serving my country in various roles, including Foreign Relations Officer, Joint Logistics Member, and Instructor at the National Defense University (NDU) of Afghanistan. From an early age, I worked closely with U.S. military forces, fostering cooperation between nations in pursuit of shared ideals.
That commitment came at a steep cost. I survived multiple assassination attempts and suicide bombings. My family, too, paid the price. On June 15, 2019, my brother—who remains trapped in Afghanistan—was shot by the Taliban and barely survived.
In April 2021, I arrived in the U.S. through a prestigious military exchange program, a symbol of the deep partnership between Afghanistan and America. Like countless others, I believed in the promises made to those who fought for democracy, freedom, and security. But when Afghanistan fell to the Taliban, our service was branded as betrayal, and those left behind were abandoned.
Fighting for Justice on Capitol Hill
At the heart of our advocacy, I made a personal appeal for my family—five brothers, two sisters, and my mother—who remain in grave danger. Since the fall of Kabul, I have worked relentlessly to secure their safety. Yet, like so many others, they have been trapped by bureaucracy and broken promises.
Beyond my own family, I spoke on behalf of the thousands of Afghan military personnel who stood shoulder-to-shoulder with U.S. forces. These brave men and women were promised evacuation and protection. Today, they are hunted, their futures cast into uncertainty by recent executive actions.
During our visit, we met with the legislative teams of Representatives Jennifer McClellan, Jon McGuire, and Don Beyer, as well as Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine. We expressed our grave concerns that recent executive decisions undermine America’s moral and strategic commitments to its Afghan allies. The U.S.-Taliban agreement of February 2020, coupled with the chaotic military withdrawal, left countless allies stranded and severely damaged America’s global credibility.
We urged Congress to act decisively and pressure the administration to fulfill its obligations. Our demands were clear:
- Reunite Afghan families torn apart by war and displacement.
- Maintain and expand the SIV, P1, P2, and P3 visa programs.
- Uphold America’s promise to those who risked their lives in service of U.S. missions.
A Call to Action: America Must Stand by Its Word
Let me be clear: We did not, and will never, betray anyone. Our only “crime” was serving our nation with honor, integrity, and unwavering loyalty. For that, we were promised protection. The United States must uphold its word—not just for the sake of those left behind, but to preserve its credibility as a nation that stands by its allies.
We stand firm in our message:
- The U.S. must protect those who protected them.
- America must not abandon its allies.
- If the U.S. turns its back on those who fought beside them, who will stand with America in the future?
I remain hopeful that this administration has an opportunity to correct past failures. President Donald Trump can demonstrate to the world that America does not forsake its allies. Additionally, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, in his first remarks upon entering the Pentagon, reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to standing with Afghan allies. Now, those words must translate into decisive action.
The fate of thousands still hangs in the balance. Their safety is not just a moral obligation—it is a test of America’s integrity. It is time for action.
