US Veterans Stand With Afghan Asylum Seekers, Launching Battle Buddies

U.S. veterans are turning out in immigration courts to stand beside Afghan wartime allies, as a fast-growing volunteer effort called Battle Buddies expands nationwide. Launched in June 2025 by AfghanEvac and IAVA, the program pairs veterans with Afghan asylum seekers so they are not alone during high-stakes hearings. Organizers say more than 220 veterans have already volunteered in person, with over 1,000 signing up across the country to be on call. The goal, they say, is simple: show up for the people who showed up for U.S. forces during two decades of war.

Veterans mobilize in courtrooms

The initiative took shape after cases like that of Sayed Naser, a former Afghan interpreter who legally entered the United States and later faced deportation after an asylum hearing in San Diego. His arrest shook veteran networks—many of whom worked with interpreters and fixers who faced death threats for helping U.S. troops.

Battle Buddies aims to prevent isolation in court and to help Afghan families feel seen, heard, and supported. Volunteers do not act as lawyers; instead they:

• Attend hearings with Afghan applicants
• Help with logistics (transportation, childcare, navigating the courthouse)
• Connect families to legal and social services
• Provide emotional, trauma-aware support and courtroom presence

Shawn VanDiver, founder of AfghanEvac, says the mission is rooted in duty—the United States made promises to Afghan partners and must keep them. Kyleanne Hunter, CEO of IAVA, frames the effort as personal, not political; many veterans can name the Afghan colleague who kept their unit safe on patrol. That bond is driving signups from major cities to small towns where Afghan families have resettled.

Legal context and why court support matters

Advocacy groups backing Battle Buddies say policy setbacks have made daily life harder for Afghans seeking safety. Some arrived on humanitarian parole, a short-term tool that allowed entry but does not guarantee long-term status or asylum. Others are trying to move long-stalled Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) cases forward.

Key points about the legal landscape:

• The SIV program was created by Congress for those who worked for or on behalf of the U.S. mission but has slowed sharply, leaving many applicants in limbo.
• Afghans who apply for asylum face complex proceedings and strict deadlines.
• Filing Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal, starts the asylum process and can protect against removal while a case is pending.
• The official form and filing instructions are on the U.S. government site at USCIS: Form I-589.

Applicants who miss filing windows or lack counsel risk negative outcomes, which is why Battle Buddies focuses on court support and referrals to qualified legal help.

Policy backdrop and legislative push

Advocates say the United States once promised clear pathways to safety for Afghan allies, but those paths narrowed in recent years. They point to policy changes during President Trump’s term—including a travel ban and the cancellation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghans—as steps that restricted options and discouraged applicants.

While the Biden administration has taken steps to assist Afghan arrivals, many still face uncertain status and prolonged family separation. Groups allied with AfghanEvac and IAVA argue that failing to deliver on commitments carries national security costs: future partners will remember whether U.S. promises held.

One legislative proposal:

• Enduring Welcome Act (co-sponsored by Rep. Scott Peters) — aims to restart and strengthen the office overseeing Afghan resettlement.
  • Supporters say it would help fix bottlenecks, speed reviews for those at risk, and give agencies the staffing and direction needed to process cases.

Policy specialists and veteran leaders highlight ripple effects of uncertainty:

• Children struggle to settle into school without parental status stability.
• Breadwinners hesitate to change jobs or pursue training without work authorization.
• Employers lose access to skilled workers (defense contractors, hospitals) when status is insecure.

Analysis by VisaVerge.com concludes that consistent policy and timely adjudications are central to helping Afghans move from short-term parole or pending claims to durable status.

What volunteers see and do inside courts

Battle Buddies volunteers witness the human cost firsthand. Examples of courtroom realities:

• Afghans arrive with thick files of commendations from U.S. units but still must prove a well-founded fear of persecution.
• Many need interpreters, trauma-informed support, or help gathering evidence.
• Volunteers calm families, reduce misunderstandings, and help prevent missed deadlines.

Courtroom observers also track systemic problems:

• Missed notices and rescheduled hearings
• Difficulty finding counsel in time
• Administrative delays that can harm case outcomes

Advocacy leaders emphasize three near-term needs:

1. Clearer communication about options, especially for those on humanitarian parole approaching expiration.
2. Faster SIV case reviews, with predictable timelines and transparent updates.
3. More funding for legal services so every qualifying Afghan can have counsel.

While community groups, pro bono lawyers, and veteran-led networks are stepping up, the scale of need remains large.

Broader solutions advocates seek

AfghanEvac and IAVA are pushing for measures that go beyond individual cases:

• Consistent processing for family reunification, so spouses and children are not left overseas for years.
• Durable protections that do not depend on discretionary tools like parole.
• Congressional funding and agency resources to handle caseloads without multi-year backlogs.

The Battle Buddies model is spreading through word of mouth, social media, and veteran service organizations. New volunteers receive guidance on:

• Court etiquette and privacy
• Trauma-aware support
• The boundaries of their role (support, not legal advice)

Organizers collect feedback to improve the program and share lessons with partner groups across states.

“For many veterans, that history turns an immigration docket into a matter of honor.”
Volunteers describe the work as finishing the mission—bringing the same team spirit from deployment to the courthouse hallway.

Human motivation and civic impact

Behind the policy debate is a shared memory: long nights on base, convoy missions, and lives saved by quick translations or local knowledge. For many veterans and Afghans, that history motivates action.

• The presence of uniformed veterans in civilian clothes—sitting quietly behind Afghan families—sends a steady message: you are not alone.
• Simple acts—showing up on hearing day, offering childcare, providing transportation—can make a decisive difference for families at risk.

Organizers hope that as the program grows, this steady, nonpartisan support will help protect Afghan allies while advocates continue pressing for legislative and administrative fixes.