Results: Afghan Interpreter Who Saved U.S. Troops Gets American Citizenship

"During his service, he saved the lives of five American soldiers. That is not something many people can say," Ken Cuccinelli, the acting director of Citizenship and Immigration Services. Do you know someone who actually saved another person's life?

As an interpreter, Shinwari wasn't supposed to fight when he joined the U.S. military in 2004. But four years later, he was with an American unit that was ambushed by the Taliban in eastern Afrghanistan. "It was the worst firefight of my life," Army Capt. Matt Zeller told NPR in 2013. "I ran out of grenades. I was literally counting my bullets, and I remember thinking, we might not make it out of this one alive." Have you personally - or do you know someone who served in the military and was in armed combat with enemy troops?

Shinwari grabbed a rifle and rushed to the scene. "I saw Matt Zeller, that he was alive in a ditch and there were two Taliban behind him to kill him," Shinwari recalled. "I shot the two Taliban and I saved Matt Zeller's life." They had met just 10 days earlier, and have been close friends ever since. Do you think friendships formed in the military are some of the strongest?

The U.S. government has had programs to bring both Afghan and Iraqi interpreters to the U.S. after their service in those wars. The Iraqi program was shut down several years ago, while the Afghan program is still operating. But both were plagued by delays and issued far fewer visas than allocated. Shinwari had to wait nearly three years for a visa. He was on a Taliban kill list and spent most of that time on a U.S. military base near Kabul for his own safety. Only rarely could he travel a few miles to his home for brief visits with his wife and two young children. Did you know interpreters working with the U.S. military risked so much?

Shinwari, 42, said he's grateful for his new life. "The best part is you're safe. You don't have to worry, you can sleep well. Once you are here, you're free," he said. Do you think a lot of Americans take for granted the freedom and security they have in the U.S.?