ICE Detentions of Afghan Asylum Seekers Increase Amid Policy Uncertainty
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has increasingly arrested and detained Afghan asylum seekers across the United States, particularly men who recently arrived or are awaiting hearings. Many of those detained had sought asylum at the US-Mexico border within the last two years, while others entered under Operation Allies Welcome or held humanitarian parole.
One recent incident involved Amir, an Afghan asylum seeker who arrived in 2024 via Mexico and was arrested in Bloomington, Indiana after being pulled over by an unmarked vehicle and cuffed. In New York, another Afghan asylum seeker was detained after complying with a request to report to an ICE office. In northern California, nearly two dozen have been arrested over two weeks, either in the community or during ICE check-ins.
Lawyers report that these arrests have created a significant chilling effect among Afghan asylum seekers, with many afraid to leave their homes and some considering seeking asylum in Canada or other countries. Distress is prevalent among families as many detainees had complied fully with check-in and monitoring requirements and had no criminal history. Sudden detentions often come without explanations.
The future of U.S. immigration policies regarding these individuals and the status of humanitarian parole remain uncertain. Advocates highlight the potential termination of parole or prolonged pauses on its processing, underscoring the urgent need for clarity from officials. The Department of Homeland Security did not respond to requests for comment. To protect safety, some individuals’ identities have been anonymized.
