WASHINGTON – Former Afghan Air Force pilot Niloofar Rahmani has beengranted asylum in the United States after a tense 16-month wait for theTrump administration to make a decision on her case.

Rahmani, 26, joined the Afghan Air Force in 2012 and became the firstfemale fixed-wing pilot in a country, TOLO News has reported.

While attending a training course in the US in 2016, she applied forasylum, citing death threats against her and her family.

“We’re very thrilled this has happened,” Kimberley Motley, Rahmani’s lawyertold ABC.

“Because of the changes in immigration in the US and, frankly, a lot lesspeople are being granted asylum in the US than back under the ObamaAdministration — so it has been very stressful for her.”

Rahmani heard the good news on Monday – the same day that two suicidebombers detonated explosives in Kabul, killing 29 people – including ninejournalists.

“She is always concerned about her family. She just wants to make sure herfamily remains to be safe because they are in Afghanistan but overall sheis happy she has been granted asylum,” Motley said.

After being unable to find work while awaiting her asylum application,Rahmani is now looking forward to getting a job flying in the US, accordingto Motley.

“She is focused on her dream — she is a young lady, very intelligent, verymotivated and very ambitious and so she is going to try to continue herdream of being a pilot,” Motley told ABC.

“I think she is definitely a wonderful role model to Afghan women … awonderful role model to women around the world and frankly to pilots aroundthe world.