Calif. families describe escape from Afghanistan

Some Afghan-Americans who found themselves trapped in Afghanistan after U.S. troops raced to evacuate Americans and allies and then left the country described Thursday how they managed to escape.

Eight families from El Cajon, California were stuck in Afghanistan.

All but one of the families got out with the help of the Cajon Valley Union School District and Republican U.S. Congressman Darrel Issa, whose district includes El Cajon, a city with a large refugee population.

The families had traveled on their own over the summer to see relatives and were not part of an organized trip.

Several of the families, accompanied by Issa and school officials, spoke to reporters Thursday for the first time since they returned, recounting their harrowing experience.

The parents described running with their children as gunfire whizzed overhead. One father said he was beaten by the Taliban. They said they were blocked at Taliban checkpoints.

"Very hard to for us to pass the Taliban gate. And they told us, why you guys are leaving Afghanistan? Why are you guys not staying here with us? I told them, that's our country. That's my nation. We're leaving here. So we have to get out of here," said Mohammad Faizi.

They said they are grateful to be back but their children have suffered nightmares, and they worry about the family that was unable to get out, along with countless others still stuck there, including distant relatives.

Several of the speakers talked about people still in Afghanistan, even though they have U.S. passports or documents. Rep. Issa echoed that point.

"When these family members talk about those left behind, I don't think we need to consider whether or not their papers were processed, whether they were already a blue passport holder. The question is, did we make a promise and did we break that promise," he said.

IMAGE: AP