LONDON – The United States suggested on Sunday that it could intervene in the case of an Afghan pilot facing deportation from the United Kingdom to Rwanda, according to The Independent.
The pilot, whose identity has been concealed due to security concerns, conducted combat flights against the Taliban with British and American forces and has been characterized as a “patriot” by former Western coalition allies.
When the Taliban retook Afghanistan, he said he was compelled to flee to the UK on a tiny boat since it was “impossible” to find a safe and legal path.
His appeal has received backing from British military officials, celebrities, and politicians in the UK, but the British government has refused to grant him asylum.
On Sunday, White House spokeswoman John Kirby informed The Independent that an investigation would be conducted to see whether the individual would be eligible for asylum in the United States.
“It’s the first time I’ve heard of it, so we’ll have to look into it and check it out,” he explained.
Kirby went on to say that the Joe Biden administration was committed to assisting Afghans who fought alongside coalition forces against the Taliban in their efforts to move to the United States.
“We continue to work to bring our Afghan allies into the country and out of Afghanistan.” We continue to feel in our bones that this is a responsibility and an obligation we take seriously — it hasn’t stopped and it will not stop,” he said.
According to The Independent, the pilot’s information has been forwarded to the White House, and officials will investigate whether the US State Department can assist him.
Source: Arab News