Basir “Steve” Ahmed’s story is similar to other Afghans who have helped the U.S. military as translators in Afghanistan. Ahmed worked with American soldiers for four years, helping them communicate with locals, and then was fired by his U.S. employer after he was seriously wounded in a car bomb attack on the Army unit he was traveling with. He suffered shrapnel wounds to his head and severe burns on his right hand and leg. While he was still recovering from his injuries, his employer, Mission Essential Personnel of Columbus, Ohio, fired him on grounds that he was frequently late and did not show up for work. Ahmed said he missed only one day of work and arrived late twice. He now lives in hiding near Jalalabad, afraid the Taliban or al Qaeda will find out about his helping U.S. forces.