Congressman Issa's office helps two more local citizens to escape Afghanistan

SAN DIEGO - Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Bonsall, said today that his office has facilitated the release of two more U.S. citizens from Afghanistan.

A couple in their 80s -- residents of California's 50th Congressional District -- are on their way home and have officially left Kabul, he said.

"This is a cause for celebration and the result of almost countless hours of work under very difficult conditions,'' Issa said. ``Our team simply

would not give up, and today it paid off and we got them home.''

The names of the couple are being withheld at the request of their family, the congressman's office reported, due to the continuing danger of

reprisals faced by Afghan relatives of Americans who escape the country.

The couple tried repeatedly over multiple weeks to get through Taliban checkpoints but said they were harassed and intimidated, blocking their

efforts to board a plane home.

After the couple's granddaughter contacted the district office, the team began its communications and logistical coordination that ultimately

guided the couple out of Afghanistan. ``I want to thank Congressman Issa and his staff both in Washington and California for everything they did to help my grandparents come home,'' the granddaughter said. ``We are all so grateful.''

Issa's office has helped rescue 33 members of his district from Afghanistan since the Taliban overran the Afghan National Army and retook

control of the country this summer, including six El Cajon-area families and other Americans and Special Immigrant Visa holders.

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