Afghan family in San Diego was able to leave right before Taliban takeover

The State Department and the U.S. military say they're moving as fast as they can, getting people out of Afghanistan, as two more refugee families are expected to arrive in San Diego.

Catholic Charities says in the last week it has received three to five families each day as part of the federal Refugee Resettlement program and Jewish Family Service says its assisted 63 individuals since August 6.

Last month an Afghan family of eight arrived in San Diego. They've been waiting to come to the United States on a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) for for five years.

“We are happy here, we are safe here, we all wish to continue our education here,” said Ismail, refugee teen.

For their safety News 8 is only using their first names. Ismail helped translate their story of how they arrived in Virginia on July 13 and flew to San Diego. That was just one month before the withdrawal of American troops and the violent Taliban takeover.

“In Afghanistan working with the U.S. Army I was ambushed many times when I was on a mission,” said Asif, refugee father.

The family was taken in by Catholic Charities who is one of four agencies in San Diego County who helps refugees resettle.