Months after being freed, Afghan soldier arrested at border is now on a path toward asylum and healing
Wasi and his brother pray for their family’s safety as the holy month of Ramadan ends and the Taliban continues to rule Afghanistan. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/9e6a29a85ea7efc934cb0a673b1dbaaa/Safi%20Eid%20AM%20TT%2018.jpg)
Allison P. Erickson
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/profiles/Allison_Erikson_TT_01.jpg)
Allison P. Erickson was a reporting fellow at The Texas Tribune, covering military and veterans issues in Texas, from August 2022 through February 2023, under a partnership with Military Veterans in Journalism. Allison served as a Medical Service Corps officer in the U.S. Army from 2011 to 2018, rising to the rank of captain and completing a combat deployment to Afghanistan. She is a recipient of the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal and an Army Commendation Medal. A native of San Antonio, Allison studied editorial journalism at Texas Christian University before she joined the military. She has written for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Texas Monthly and The Point. She has a master’s degree in creative publishing and critical journalism from The New School in New York. She has since worked freelance assignments in print and digital news and produced podcast reporting on migration, politics and health.
Past Contributions
-
![Abdul Wasi Safi talks with his father in Afghanistan on Friday, April 21, 2023, in Houston, TX.]()
Credit: Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune -
Texas veterans vow to protect the state’s hemp market as one state lawmaker hopes to crack down
The new delta-8 hemp products, which are widely available, can produce a high similar to marijuana’s. State Sen. Charles Perry said he and his peers never intended for such products to reach the market. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/27350fe638bf2117d6277d3d4e67e220/1101%20CBD%20Vending%20AS%20TT%2002.jpg)
![Dave Walden, wearing a Veterans of Foreign Wars cap demonstrates how the CBD vending machine works by purchasing a product, in Leander on Nov. 1, 2022.]()
Credit: Azul Sordo/The Texas Tribune -
Afghan soldier says he will live the “American dream” after being released from immigration detention center
U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee’s office mounted pressure on several federal agencies earlier this month leading up to Abdul Wasi Safi’s release on Tuesday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/5ebe148505dfb0c349c894d5ac6e04a6/0127%20Wasi%20Release%20Presser%20AM%2002%20TT.jpg)
![Abdul Wasi Safi speaks at a Houston press conference on Jan. 27, 2023, following his release from a Texas detention center.]()
Credit: Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune -
Homelessness among veterans has been cut in half since 2010, VA says
In Texas, the number of homeless veterans has dropped 65% between 2007 and 2020, according to the National Alliance to End Homelessness. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/202244b0745c349237892ad77363c781/Homeless%20Encampment%20MG%20TT%2004.jpg)
![Tents at the state-run homeless encampment off of U.S. Highway 183 in Austin on Feb. 25, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Feds drop charges against Afghan soldier trying to claim asylum in Texas
After months of publicity and a bipartisan congressional effort to request a pardon from the president, Abdul Wasi Safi could be set free. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1415aaad5e57382ac3e0121fd72467f6/Afghan%20Translator%20TT%2004.jpg)
![Abdul Wasi Safi stands in the foreground of Afghan military vehicles surrounded by HESCO barriers and concrete bunkers.]()
Credit: Courtesy of Sami-ullah Safi -
Afghan soldier jailed in Texas for crossing border should receive presidential pardon, U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee says
The Houston Democrat said she has sent a letter to the White House asking the Biden administration to ensure Abdul Wasi Safi starts his life in America without a criminal record. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/087909e90f295671b439d48de7b41896/0113%20Sami%20Sheila%20Presser%20AM%20TT%2004.jpg)
![Sami-ullah Safi, brother of detained Afghan soldier Abdul Wasi Safi, speaks during a press conference with U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Houston, in downtown Houston on Jan. 13, 2023.]()
Credit: Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune -
Afghan soldier arrested at border while seeking asylum has new lawyers, meets with FBI
Abdul Wasi Safi’s physical and mental health are deteriorating as he waits at a detention center near the border. Full Story
![Abdul Wasi Safi stands in the foreground of Afghan military vehicles surrounded by HESCO barriers and concrete bunkers.]()
Credit: Courtesy of Sami-ullah Safi -
Midland is the latest Texas city to issue a boil-water notice
Officials said the water levels at the local reservoir were too low to meet safety standards. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/06ae91163fd2fc07de886785e2ce16dd/Re-edit%20Midland%20File%20LW%20TT%2011.jpg)
![A water tower at the Midland International Air & Space Port on Jan. 28, 2022.]()
Credit: Lauren Witte/The Texas Tribune -
UT Health San Antonio will launch new trauma research program with military
The research teams are expected to focus on traumatic brain injury, stem cell research, drug development and anti-shock therapies. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a7f4d2ec20806f2f13e710774c7b7659/Seton%20Trauma%20Center%20LS%20TT%2004.jpg)
![An ambulance is parked at Dell Seton Medical Center at the University of Texas
at Austin in 2018.]()
Credit: Laura Skelding for The Texas Tribune -
Veterans groups plead Afghan soldier’s asylum case in letter to Biden
After surviving the fallout from a war in his home country and a global trek, Abdul Wasi Safi was arrested at the Texas-Mexico border on a misdemeanor charge, delaying his chance for asylum. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/b1b1cc215ebaef211edd61802b82ac37/Afghan%20Translator%20TT%2003.jpg)
![Abdul Wasi Safi, second from left, stands with his hands behind his back at ease for a photo with others in his Afghan special forces unit. He wears the rank and insignia of a Dvahomi baridman, or second lieutenant.]()
Credit: Courtesy of Sami-ullah Safi