Hometown Season 7, Episode 3: An Interview with Nasratullah Khalil

Today’s episode features a conversation with Nasratullah Khalil. Khalil, as he prefers to be called, now lives and works in Syracuse, New York, but grew up in Afghanistan.

In August 2021, Khalil and his family were forced into hiding after the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan and the Taliban took over. Since Khalil had worked for a U.S. military subcontractor, he was eligible for a Special Immigrant Visa. However, at the time that U.S. troops withdrew, his visa had not yet been granted. Thus he and his family, including four children under the age of 10, were in danger.

Our discussion highlights the pleasures of living in Afghanistan before the civil war broke out, the challenges of getting an education and being an adult in the midst of war, and the perils and obstacles Khalil and his family faced once they were no longer safe there. Khalil also describes his children’s efforts to make sense of their fate, as the family fled their homeland, saw their savings and options dwindle, and wondered if they would be forced, for lack of options, to return to Afghanistan.

At the last possible minute, Khalil’s SIV was granted, and the family made their way to the U.S. and settled in Syracuse. Khalil now works with InterFaith Works of Central New York, helping to pave the way for other newcomers.

Read a transcript of our conversation with Khalil here.