and hopefully it does. >> carl meacham, the director of the merck's program at the centre for strategic and international studies, thank you very much. >> thank you. >> woodruff: as the u.s. military prepares to withdraw from afghanistan, the lives of thousands of afghan citizens who work for the americans are being threatened by insurgents. but getting out of the country to safety in the states has been a long and difficult process. the newshour's p.j. tobia has our story. >> reporter: for seven years he has worked dangerous missions for the u.s. military in afghanistan. >> when i get hired i working with the adp police, mentors it, which -- >> his work as a translator brought threats, by the same taliban insurgents he helps u.s. forces hunt down. >> i feel danger. every day, every hour. maybe one day or one hour or-- 1 week they are going to kill me. >> he applied for a special immigration nearly two years ago paying for documents and medical examinations himself. >> 18 months that i'm waiting for my visa i have-- i have to spend a lot of money, like i spent $2,000 because of my daugh