As a journalist in Afghanistan, Abdul says he helped promote American values like democracy and freedom. That work, he said, resulted in him being tortured by the Taliban after the US withdrew from the country in 2021.
Now he's in California applying for political asylum, amid the looming threat of deportation.
"We trusted those values," he said. "We came here for safety, and we don't have it, unfortunately."
But when Abdul walked into a San Diego court to plead his case, he wasn't alone.
Ten veterans showed up for his hearing – unarmed, but dressed in hats and shirts to signify their military credentials as a "show of force", said Shawn VanDiver, a US Navy vet who founded 'Battle Buddies' to support Afghan refugees facing deportation.
