Afghan Man Detained by ICE Following Immigration Hearing in San Diego
An Afghan national, Sayed Naser, who provided crucial support to U.S. military forces, was recently detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents after attending an immigration hearing in San Diego. A video shared by advocates captured the moment when Sayed was handcuffed and led away by masked officers following a mandatory court appearance on June 11.
In the footage, Sayed expressed his disbelief: “For more than three years I worked for the U.S. military back in my home country. I came here to make a better life. I didn’t know this was going to happen like this for me,” reflecting the uncertainty that has become the plight of many Afghan allies after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Background on Sayed Naser’s Journey
According to his lawyer, Brian McGoldrick, Naser was legally paroled into the U.S. in 2024. He is seeking asylum and has applied for a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV), a status designated for those who aided U.S. military missions in conflict zones. Despite meeting legal requirements and having no criminal record, his situation took a dire turn when ICE detained him based on an ambiguous ruling that his case was “improvidently issued.”
“This man served with our troops. He came through the front door and followed every rule. And we locked him up anyway,” said Shawn VanDiver, executive director of #AfghanEvac, an organization advocating for Afghan partners. The exact number of Afghan allies detained under similar circumstances remains unclear.
Impact of Political Changes
Naser worked as a civilian interpreter for the U.S. military from 2015 until the withdrawal in 2021, and his service put him and his family at risk from the Taliban. Following the withdrawal, Taliban operatives killed his brother and abducted his father, prompting Naser to escape to Brazil and later undertake a perilous overland journey to reach the U.S.
Upon arriving in the U.S., he secured lawful entry through an appointment with Customs and Border Protection, using a scheduling app designed for migrants. However, when he attended his asylum hearing, officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) declared his case had been processed incorrectly, leading to his detainment without clear justification.
Alarming Trends in Court Arrests
The frequency of ICE detentions occurring outside immigration hearings has surged recently, prompting concerns among advocates and legal professionals. Sayed’s case highlights a disturbing pattern of arrests that target asylum seekers fulfilling their legal obligations. Advocates fear that ambiguous justifications, like “improvidently issued,” are being used by ICE to meet detention quotas.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Sayed Naser |
| Role | Civilian Interpreter |
| Years of Service | 2015 – 2018 |
| Current Status | Detained in Otay Mesa Detention Center |
| Asylum Case | Pending |
Sayed’s family, currently in hiding, was unaware of his detention until they saw the news circulating on social media. This case exemplifies the heightened anxiety faced by Afghan allies in the U.S., as political dynamics shift dramatically. Advocates are urging for accountability and humane treatment of those who have historically risked their lives in support of American troops.
