- July 30, 2025
- Interview by: ASN Development Team
Serving with Honor, Rebuilding with Purpose
From the battlefields of Afghanistan to a new life in Oregon, Habibullah Khan Khostai’s journey is one of sacrifice, resilience, and hope. A former soldier in the Khost Protection Force (KPF), Habibullah served alongside the U.S. Armed Forces for over seven years, risking his life every day to defend peace and stability in Afghanistan. His service earned him eligibility for the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV), a lifeline for Afghan allies who stood shoulder-to-shoulder with American troops.
When Kabul fell in August 2021, Habibullah and his team were evacuated under dangerous conditions.
“We were taken from Khost to Kabul and flown directly out,” he recalls. “I never got to go home to bring my family. They were left behind - my six children. I miss them all dearly.”
After arriving in the U.S., Habibullah was resettled at a refugee camp in New Mexico before being transferred to Oregon, where he began rebuilding his life with the support of the Afghan Support Network (ASN).
Finding a Home with ASN
At the airport in Portland, Habibullah met ASN’s co-founder, Darwaish Zakhil, who welcomed him and other evacuees. Through ASN’s wraparound services, Habibullah received rental assistance, legal and immigration navigation, healthcare support, employment aid, and bicycles for transportation. When he was jobless for months, ASN helped him find work and regain stability. “I was lost at first, but ASN gave me hope again. They helped me with everything — from healthcare appointments to job opportunities,” he shares with gratitude.
"Whenever I come here (ASN and Afghan-Home), I feel like I am at home, ASN is our home - the best and biggest address for Afghans in Oregon.”
A New Life, a New Purpose
Now settled in Portland, Habibullah volunteers regularly at Afghan-Home, ASN’s community center, and participates in cultural events and gatherings. He proudly helps newcomers navigate the system, sharing his own experiences to ease their transition. “I tell new arrivals to come to ASN, learn about life here, and take advantage of the help available. ASN is the best place for Afghans in Oregon.”
Professionally, he plans to earn his Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and pursue a career in truck driving, while also considering future opportunities in security services, a field he knows well from his military background. His goal is simple but powerful: to work hard, stay honest, and be a role model for other Afghans adjusting to life in the United States.
Separated but Not Forgotten
Even as he builds his new life, Habibullah’s heart remains tied to his family still in Afghanistan. He has successfully applied for their immigration case under the SIV program and continues to wait anxiously for their interview and approval. “Get the families united as soon as possible,” he urges. “Don’t forget the lives we left behind. It is very difficult to live alone.”
Supporting the ‘No Ally Forgotten’ Campaign
As a proud supporter of ASN’s “No Ally Forgotten” campaign, Habibullah calls on American leaders and the public to continue advocating for Afghan veterans and their families who remain in danger.
“We served America with loyalty and honor,” he says. “Now we need America to keep its promise to us.”
His message to fellow Afghans is one of perseverance:
A Living Example of ASN’s Mission
Today, Habibullah stands as a symbol of courage and community spirit – a man who served with honor and now rebuilds with purpose. Through his story, ASN continues to demonstrate its mission: empowering Afghans through advocacy, support, and opportunity.
