Afghan interpreter to serve as Blumenthal's guest at Trump address to Congress

Hewad Hemat served as an interpreter in Afghanistan for the U.S. Army, the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, and the United Nations

[HARTFORD] – At President Trump’s first address before a Joint Session of Congress, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) will host Hewad Hemat, a refugee from Afghanistan who fled his home country after his work on behalf of the United States provoked the Taliban to threaten him and his family. Mr. Hemat worked for the United States Army, the United States Embassy in Kabul, and the United Nations for eight years. He and his family were admitted to the United States as refugees in 2014, and settled in New Haven, Connecticut. Mr. Hemat will also attend the Secretary of the Senate’s dinner immediately preceding the President’s address on Tuesday.

“I am truly honored to have Hewad Hemat join me as my guest at President Trump’s address to Congress. Hewad is an American hero who risked his life as an interpreter for the U.S. Army, the American Embassy, and the United Nations in Afghanistan. For his courageous actions, his life and those of his family members were threatened by Taliban terrorists. Hewad Hemat came here for the same reasons my dad fled Nazi Germany in 1935—opportunity, liberty and freedom from persecution,” Blumenthal said. “I am bringing Hewad to Washington because anyone who hears his story and meets this man will know that we are a stronger country because of his sacrifice and contributions.”

“On Tuesday, Donald Trump will present his vision for America—one that like his campaign and his first weeks in office will most likely be steeped in hate, fear and divisiveness. We cannot stay silent. He needs to know that we are ready to fight, to do what it takes to protect and preserve the most fundamental of American values and morals.”

Mr. Hemat worked on behalf of the United States in Afghanistan for eight years. For two years, between 2006 and 2008, Mr. Hemat worked at Forward Operating Base as an interpreter and programs producer at Khost National Radio, a local broadcast supported by the U.S. Army. Between 2008 and 2010, Mr. Hemat worked as an interpreter and Election Program Officer for the United Nations. The following year, he transitioned to a position with the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs, serving as a senior program officer.

For the next two years, Mr. Hemat worked at Forward Operating Base Salerno, where he was an interpreter and the operations manager for the Radio in a Box project. The Radio in a Box project was employed by the U.S. Army to utilize a vital communications tool – local radio broadcasts – to spread messages on behalf of the United States government. While working at Forward Operation Base Salerno, Mr. Hemat began receiving threats from insurgent groups, including the Taliban.

In 2012, Mr. Hemat applied for a special immigrant visa. A recommendation letter provided by the U.S. Army in support of his visa stated that, “his unwavering loyalty, integrity, and dedication to duty are traits that will greatly serve his new homeland.” It took two years for Mr. Hemat’s application for entry to be approved – during which his uncle was killed by the Taliban, who mistook him for Mr. Hemat.

In addition to certificates in management training and security operations, Mr. Hemat holds a degree in Medical Sciences from Kabul Health Sciences Institute. Although his degree did not transfer, Mr. Hemat hopes to enroll in classes at the University of New Haven or Gateway Community College in order to continue his studies here in the United States.

Mr. Hemat lives in New Haven with his wife and four children. Mr. Hemat’s visa did not extend to his parents or siblings, who have received additional threats at their home in Afghanistan. Although additional family members had hoped to eventually join Mr. Hemat in the United States, President Trump’s Executive Order halted those plans.