This archive report was first published on 1 July 2020.
Janis Shinwari, a 42-year-old Afghani national, has made history by becoming a US citizen after serving the country for eight years as an interpreter for the US military.
Shinwari's journey to citizenship began in 2004 when he joined US troops in Afghanistan. Despite never intending to participate in active war, he found himself in a firefight after a unit he was with got ambushed by the Taliban.
Without hesitation, Shinwari picked up his rifle and ran to protect his colleagues, saving the lives of five American soldiers in the process.
According to NPR, Shinwari's actions landed him on the Taliban's kill list, and he had to wait for three years for his visa to be processed so he could finally go to the US.
On [2020-07-01], Shinwari officially became a US citizen, a testament to his bravery and dedication to the country he served.
Ken Cuccinelli, acting director of Citizenship and Immigration Services, praised Shinwari's service, saying, 'During his service, he saved the lives of five American soldiers. That is not something many people can say.'
