Thoughthephotographer could speak no word oftheirlanguage, theAfghan sittersunderstood what was desired, and had enough poise to remain still for threeseconds and prevent blurring the film.
Although the U.S State Department subsequently implemented a special immigrant visa program for Iraqi and Afghan translators and interpreters, the creation of this class of refugees is a testament to the power of language politics, and an example of the fallout from American insufficiencies in this area.