Roufi, a former Afghan army officer, came to the U.S. on a student visa, obtained citizenship and joined the U.S. Army. He witnessed the chaotic Kabul airport pullout as an adviser and translator for the commanding U.S. general, and he himself helped to rescue Americans, U.S. embassy staff and others.

Afghans who fled after the Taliban seized power have appealed to President Donald Trump to exempt them from an order suspending the relocation of refugees to the United States, some saying they risked their lives to support U.