Tom Bennett — For the Daily Astorian Zubair, second from left, and Dean Perez, holding Paiman, leave the Portland airport, followed by Zubair’s wife Huma with Muska and Perez’ sons Brian and Brett.
Photo courtesy Dean Perez Zubair translates for former Daily Astorian reporter Tom Bennett as he interviews Afghanistan’s vice president in 2005.
Meet the family
Local residents will have the opportunity to meet Zubair, his wife Huma and children Mina, Paiman and Muska from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at a reception at the First Lutheran Church in Astoria. Donations to support Zubair and his family can be sent to "Fund for Zubair" at First Lutheran Church, 725 33rd St., Astoria, OR 97103.
Interpreter embraces new life in USA Astoria’s Dean Perez helps Afghan family relocate to Oregon
By TOM BENNETT For The Daily Astorian
"It's green like Jalalabad!"
Oregon and Afghanistan are on opposite sides of the globe. But for 6-year-old Mina, her first look at Portland reminded her of her hometown halfway around the world.
Mina and her family arrived in their new, green home Monday - thanks to the efforts of Astoria's Dean Perez. He, his wife and two sons welcomed the Afghan family at the Portland airport Monday evening and brought them to their new apartment in Beaverton.
It was a reunion for Perez and Mina's father, Muhammad Zubair, who worked together during Perez' two tours with the Oregon National Guard in Afghanistan. Zubair served as an interpreter for Perez and other officers serving with the American military mission to the war-torn country. But after several years of service, the young Afghan decided that his work had made him too much of a target for Taliban guerillas and other extremists.
With his friend and former translator in danger, Perez last year helped sponsor the immigration of Zubair, his wife and children to the United States through a U.S. government program that allows just 50 interpreters from Iraq and Afghanistan to enter America each year.
Local residents will have the opportunity to meet Zubair, his wife, Huma, and children Mina, Paiman and Muska from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at a reception at First Lutheran Church, 725 33rd St.
The church sponsored a fundraiser last year that brought in about $6,000 for the family. Saturday's event gives citizens the opportunity to provide further support. Perez said his goal is to give Zubair's family enough money to cover rent and other basic necessities for six months. Tax-deductible donations to the fund to support the family will be matched dollar-for-dollar by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans through its Care Abounds in Communities program.
"Oregon to me is an ideal place to make a new start," Perez said. "There are tremendous opportunities here." Perez, human resources director for Clatsop County, served in Afghanistan in 2004-05 and 2006-07 as part of the U.S. mission to train the new Afghan National Army. Zubair worked as his liaison with Afghan military commanders, government officials and other figures, and provided him with invaluable help in navigating Afghanistan's foreign customs, he said.
"Zubair has said over and over, 'Thank you, thank you, thank you,' but I tell him 'It's the least I can do for you for all you did for me,'" Perez said.
Zubair applied to immigrate to the United States through the interpreter program last year. The usual months-long approval process through the U.S. embassy was expedited after he received a death threat, and he and his family were able to fly to the United States in December.
After a brief stay in St. Louis, the family relocated to Cheyenne, Wyo., where they boarded with a cousin of Zubair's and his family. Perez and his wife Andrea found the family an apartment in Beaverton, and stocked it with furniture donated by state Sen. Betsy Johnson.
Perez said Zubair is determined to find work and make his own way in his new home. His wife, Huma, wants to learn English and continue her own education, and the couple plan for their children to attend local public schools.
Donations to support Zubair and his family can be sent to "Fund for Zubair" at First Lutheran Church, 725 33rd St., Astoria, OR 97103.
Tom Bennett is an Astoria journalist who traveled twice to Afghanistan to cover the war for The Daily Astorian
