By Patricia Zengerle
WASHINGTON () – An Afghan individual who relocated to the United States following his employment with the U.S. military in his native country was detained by armed, masked immigration officers, placed in a van, and removed from the state, according to attorneys and members of Congress who reported this on Tuesday.
Known only as Zia by members of Congress and his lawyer due to worries for his security and that of his family, the individual had served as an interpreter for the U.S. military during the conflict in Afghanistan.
He was in the United States lawfully and was taken into custody following a meeting in Connecticut concerning his application for a green card through a program designed to safeguard individuals who worked with U.S. military personnel, as reported by human rights groups, his lawyer, and lawmakers.
Since taking office for his second term in January, Republican President Donald Trump has implemented a wide-ranging enforcement effort regarding immigration.
“The most appalling breach of fundamental humanity has occurred to him,” said Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal from Connecticut during a call with advocates, highlighting the case of Zia and at least two other Afghans who have worked for the U.S. and have been detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE.
“He genuinely put himself in danger while serving in Afghanistan to defend the principles and freedoms that are essential to democratic ideals,” Blumenthal stated.
Blumenthal and two other Democratic representatives, Jahana Hayes, who represents Zia’s district in Connecticut, and Bill Keating, who serves the Massachusetts city where Zia is detained, all promised to advocate for his release.
A judge has granted a temporary halt to Zia’s deportation from the United States, although he is still being held in custody.
ALLEGATIONS, DENIED BY ATTORNEY
When asked for a statement, the Department of Homeland Security mentioned that the Afghan national arrived in the U.S. on October 8, 2024, and is being probed regarding a “significant criminal charge,” noting, “All of his assertions will be reviewed by a judge. Any Afghan individual who is concerned about persecution can apply for assistance.”
The statement sent via email from DHS offered no additional information.
Zia’s lawyer, Lauren Petersen, stated that he received humanitarian parole in 2024 because of a direct threat from the Taliban leaders in Afghanistan. She mentioned that he has no criminal record and, when questioned about the Department of Homeland Security’s claim that he was under investigation for a “serious criminal charge,” she expressed confusion about what they were talking about.
Humanitarian parole is a temporary authorization under U.S. law that permits individuals to remain in the country due to “urgent humanitarian reasons or substantial public benefit,” enabling them to reside and be employed in the United States.
Over 70,000 Afghan nationals arrived in the United States through President Joe Biden’s “Operation Allies Welcome” program after the Taliban seized control in 2021, as reported by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
The immigration enforcement actions under the Trump administration have involved large-scale deportations and the cancellation of “temporary protected status” for individuals already residing in the U.S. who are unable to go back to their native countries because of war, natural disasters, or other severe circumstances.
U.S. authorities are taking steps to end that status for approximately 14,600 individuals from Afghanistan.
Shawn VanDiver, the creator of #AfghanEvac, which is the primary alliance of veterans and organizations that facilitated the relocation of Afghans with the U.S. government, mentioned during a conversation with journalists and politicians that he was informed of at least two additional Afghans who were detained after being admitted into the United States due to their prior employment with the U.S. military.
He mentioned that his group, along with veteran organizations, was advocating for their freedom.
“It’s concerning whether this nation keeps its promises to those who sacrifice everything,” he stated.
(Produced by Patricia Zengerle in Washington; Edited by Don Durfee, Nia Williams and Matthew Lewis)
