Iam an Afghan-born American who served in the United States military with distinction for more than two decades. Because of my service to our great country, my family and others like them are in extreme danger in Afghanistan.

America’s abrupt abandonment of Afghanistan and our allies there is inhumane. Tens of thousands of Afghans who aided our War on Terror mission are waiting for us to uphold our promise to protect them and provide safe admission to America. I watched the horrors on television last August as the government fell. That is when frantic messages began pouring in. Thousands of families are now waiting while in hiding, constantly moving around to avoid being captured and executed. This looming threat of execution is new to them, as it is a direct result of our destabilizing and poorly planned exit from the country. Their lives are running up against a ticking clock of inaction. Every day they remain in Afghanistan puts their lives in danger.

If our government does not get serious about a course correction to the humanitarian crisis we caused, thousands more will die. And the blood of allies who put their faith in us will forever stain our reputation and standing in the world.