Images of Afghans clinging to the landing gear of an American cargo plane rocked the world as the Taliban closed in on Kabul and two decades of fighting in Afghanistan ended for U.S. troops.
The desperate effort to get those who had helped American forces out of the country continues, with veterans pressuring Congress to help carry on the evacuation and to provide legal protections and added funding to help those who made it out and have been living in the U.S. under the threat of deportation.
But for many of those seeking U.S. help, the question of aid is largely tied to documentation. Can they prove they worked with U.S. forces? Do they have letters from commanders?
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The U.S. presence in Afghanistan wasn't orderly, leaving many without the bureaucratic stamp of approval they'd need to get help.
“The guys who did the most in the beginning and did the most work toward the vision of a viable Afghanistan were never brought into the system,” said Justin Sapp, who was the first U.S. Special Forces soldier behind Taliban lines in 2001.
Sapp is one of the founders of Badger Six, a group that financially supports roughly 30 families who are in hiding throughout Central Asia, utilizing the Hawala network and Western Union to send funds while the families await the U.S. visa process.
“The 23-year-old Afghan commando has all of the badges and credentials under the…
