ICE Detains Afghan Ally After Immigration Court Hearing
An Afghan national who previously assisted U.S. military operations in Afghanistan was detained last week by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers following his appearance at an immigration court in San Diego. The incident, captured on video, shows the moment two ICE agents handcuffed Sayed Naser as he exited the federal courthouse, just after he attended a mandatory hearing on June 11, 2025.
“For over three years, I worked for the U.S. military in my country,” Naser said in the footage, expressing his disbelief at being taken into custody. “I came here to make a better life. I didn’t know this was going to happen to me.”
Naser legally entered the United States in 2024 under a parole status, according to his attorney Brian McGoldrick. Alongside his active asylum application, he is also waiting on a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) due to his extensive support for U.S. forces. SIVs are special provisions for foreign nationals, such as Naser, who have helped American military operations in conflict zones.
McGoldrick stated that Naser has no criminal record in either the U.S. or Afghanistan, raising concerns about the legality of his detention. Shawn VanDiver, director of the nonprofit organization #AfghanEvac, echoed these sentiments, noting, “This man served with our troops. He followed every rule, yet we locked him up anyway.” The exact number of Afghan allies who may have faced similar detentions remains uncertain.
Naser’s Background and Threats Faced
Having served as a civilian interpreter for U.S. forces from 2015 to 2018, Naser’s life dramatically shifted after the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan in August 2021. Following this, he and his family became targets of violence. Taliban militants killed his brother and abducted his father during a family event, pushing Naser to flee his homeland.
After escaping to Brazil and receiving a humanitarian visa, Naser undertook a perilous 6,000-mile journey to the U.S., eventually arriving and being granted lawful parole through an official appointment with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Detainment at Court Hearing
Dismay rippled through the asylum legal community when, upon attending his hearing, Naser was told by a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) lawyer that his case was “improvidently issued.” McGoldrick expressed frustration at the lack of clarity surrounding this term, suggesting that it may be a vague justification used to facilitate ICE arrests.
Videos from the detention show Naser in a state of shock as he was processed. Currently, he is held in the Otay Mesa Detention Center, possibly facing up to three months in custody while awaiting news on his asylum status. If denied, he risks expedited removal from the U.S.
Rise in ICE Activity
Recent weeks have seen increased ICE arrests at courthouses nationwide. Under the previous administration, operations were initiated to speed up deportations through court dismissals, alarming many immigration advocates. Arrests made outside immigration hearings have led to significant protests, demonstrating public discontent with these practices.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Sayed Naser |
| Service Duration | 2015 – 2018 |
| Current Location | Otay Mesa Detention Center |
| Legal Status | Parole with pending SIV and asylum cases |
Amidst these developments, Naser’s wife, who remains in hiding with their children, learned about his detention through social media, exemplifying the distressing reality faced by those like Naser who have risked their lives in service to the U.S.
The situation serves as a stark reminder of the precarious position many Afghan allies find themselves in, as the U.S. grapples with its responsibilities towards those who supported its military efforts.
