1208 Foundation

Operated by Green Berets and EOD Techs, the 1208 Foundation provides directed aid and immigration assistance to Afghan Special Operators, interpreters, and surviving members of the National Mine Reduction Group. The NMRG were Afghan minesweepers who worked exclusively of US Army Special Forces. The risk this entailed cannot be understated and the NMRG saved untold numbers of Green Berets. Ultimately through, at its basest form, the program was implemented so that it was an Afghan- not an American- who would be at the front holding the minesweeper. Following the collapse of the Afghan Government, the NMRG were forced into hiding like many others. However, what makes the NMRG truly unique is their breadth of service. Many of the most senior NMRG member have in excess of 15 years consecutive service working for Special Forces. Several (at minimum three of whom that I can personally vouch and provide documentation for) have worked for the US since the fall of 2002. Despite this, (along with their shockingly high casualty rate) the State Department has not afforded them designated case managers/representatives or special consideration within the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program. It has fallen to roughly two dozen Green Berets and a few EOD Techs to fill this gap that has been left void by the State Department's abdication of responsibility. https://media.defense.gov/2018/Aug/29/2001959861/-1/-1/1/DODIG-2016-076%20(REDACTED).PDF