London: According to The Independent, the US said on Sunday that it might step in to prevent the deportation of an Afghan pilot from the UK to Rwanda.
Due to security concerns, the pilot's identity has been withheld. The pilot, who flew combat missions with American and British fighters against the Taliban, has been referred to as a "patriot" by former Western coalition allies.
He claimed it was "impossible" to find a safe and legal escape route, so he was forced to flee to the UK in a small boat when the Taliban retook Afghanistan.
British politicians, celebrities, and military leaders have all endorsed his case, but the British government has chosen not to decide whether to grant him asylum.
White House spokesman John Kirby informed The Independent on Sunday that an investigation would be conducted to determine whether the man would qualify for asylum in the US.
I've never heard of it before, so we'll have to research it and check it out', he said.
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The Joe Biden administration, according to Kirby, is dedicated to assisting Afghans who fought alongside coalition forces against the Taliban in their efforts to immigrate to the US.
"We keep trying to get our Afghan allies in the country and out of Afghanistan. We remain firmly convinced that this is a duty and responsibility we take seriously; we haven't stopped and we won't stop, he said.
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The White House has reportedly received the pilot's information, and officials will investigate whether the US State Department can assist him.
