Retired general in N.L. fears Canada will abandon Afghan interpreter sought by the Taliban

A retired brigadier general in Newfoundland fears the federal government won't helpan Afghan interpreter who risked his life working withthe Canadian military.

The interpreter, who CBCNews is calling "Joe" to protect his safety, has been contacted byCanadian officials. He's been told they are processing immigration applications for him, his wife and three children.

But the former Armed Forces member who is trying to help him says Joe has heard nothing since November and he fears the worst.

"The federal government works in mysterious ways sometimes and this application could be easily stopped. SoI hope he can get to Canada, I really do," said James Camsellof Maddox Cove.

Joe was shot by the Taliban in the legs in 2010. He survived but told Camsell that while he was in hospital he was visited by members of the Talibanwho told him it was an attempt to kill him for working with enemy forces.

Camsell is one of the Canadians Joe helped in Afghanistan. He hasn't forgotten Joe, and he's certain the Taliban hasn't either.

"He'son a [Taliban] watch list. They arrested his brothers to try to force him out of hiding. Soit is dangerous. He'll be immediately detained and most likely killed," said Camsell.

The Afghan interpreter made thedangerous journeytoPakistan last year, and in November he was interviewed by Canadian immigration officials. Camsell says Joe's life isnow in limbo. He's hoping to escape to Canada but still fears the Taliban will find him.

"All he's doing right now is waiting for a call [from Canada] to say his application is complete and give himflight details to come to Canada. And that's been the frustrating part because there's been nothing," he said.

Camsell says Joe and his family can't stay in Pakistan indefinitely.

WATCH I The latest update on bringing an interpreter to Canada as his family hides from the Taliban:

An Afghan interpreter is broke, hiding from the Taliban and fears his application to come to Canada has stalled

9 months ago

Duration 1:32

Retired Canadian Brig.-Gen. James Camsell has made it his mission to bring his former Afghan interpreter whom CBC is referring to as Joe to protect his identity to Canada. Joe helped NATO forces while they were in Afghanistan and the Taliban has hunted him ever since, shooting and wounding him previously. Joe has made progress getting his family to Canada, thanks to the persistence of Camsell, but both are concerned the application might not get the final green light.

He and his family membersrequire visas to stay there and those visas must be renewed every two months. Eachcosts about $750 money Joe doesn't have because he's not working.

And there's another problem.

Joe must travel back to Afghanistan to renew a visa. Camsellfears Joe will be expelled from Pakistan orcaptured by the Taliban while there.

Thousands of Afghans have been brought to Canada

When NATO forces pulled out of Afghanistan, the federal government promised to bring thousands of Afghans who helped the Canadian military to Canada.

Since August 2021, Canada has welcomed 45,820 Afghans, but Camsell fears Joe will be left behind.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada says it won't comment on specific cases, even with consent from an applicant, but it did respond to CBC News with astatement.

"Despite challenges facilitating movement out of Afghanistan, thousands of Afghans have transited through Pakistan. Since January 2022, there have been 45 chartered flights from Pakistan to Canada," said the emailed statement from the IRCC's communications advisor, Mary Rose Sabater.

"We are doing everything we can to help, including processing applications and moving Afghans approved for travel to Canada, as quickly and safely as possible. If we can move Afghans safely, we will. Work continues to process eligible applications already received."

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