Human Rights First, Faith Leaders, and Community Members Call for Immediate Release of Afghan Asylum Seeker Detained by ICE
Annandale-on-Hudson, New York — The Episcopal Diocese of New York, Human Rights First, and Bard College are calling for the immediate release of Ali Faqirzada, a 31-year-old Afghan student who was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after appearing for a scheduled interview at the New York Asylum Office.
Ali arrived in the United States with his family more than three and a half years ago after fleeing persecution in Afghanistan due to their women and human rights activism, as well as work for the former government of Afghanistan. His asylum application has been pending since 2022. On October 14, Ali attended a fear screening interview — which he passed. Immediately afterward, ICE agents detained him.
All of Ali’s family members, who fled Afghanistan with him, have been granted asylum. His detention has caused significant emotional and financial strain on his family, who have spent years rebuilding their lives in the Hudson Valley of New York.
“This is a family that has done everything possible to comply with U.S. immigration laws,” said Senior Director of Legal Strategy for Refugee Programs at Human Rights First Anwen Hughes. “When they arrived in 2022, they immediately sought protection from U.S. officials and filed their asylum applications. The family members who have had immigration hearings appeared in court, and two judges granted them asylum. Ali was waiting for his turn when the government told him to come in for an interview — then ICE detained him. We do not understand why ICE has chosen to target this smart, hardworking young man. Ali and his family were allies of the United States, working alongside the United States to rebuild democracy in Afghanistan. That is why the Taliban targeted them. He came here seeking safety. Instead, he’s been treated like a criminal.”
Ali, the eldest son of a family of six, is known as a kind, hardworking, and compassionate member of the Ulster County community. He contributes to the United States as a security guard while pursuing a degree in computer programming as a student at Bard College. His professors, classmates, and neighbors have joined local faith leaders and advocates in urging his release.
“We call for the immediate release of Ali Faqirzada,” said Bishop Matthew Heyd of the Episcopal Diocese of New York. “We stand with Ali, his family, and the communities that care for them. Welcoming people from all over the world who are seeking safe belonging is the best of America and the call of our Christian faith — we all care about an immigration and asylum process that shows care and not cruelty and chaos.”
Bard College President Leon Botstein said: “Ali is known for his kind spirit, hard work, and dedication to learning. It is my hope that he will be able to return to Bard and resume his studies as soon as possible.”
Gary Jacobson, friend of Ali and his family said the following: “Ali Faqirzada embodies the morals, values and behaviors held by members in our society who are universally respected. He and the community ask for his release from detention until he has an opportunity to find further justice at an asylum hearing.”
Ali’s case underscores growing concerns about the treatment of asylum seekers in the United States and the use of detention against individuals who pose no threat and have deep ties to their communities.
Community members and supporters are calling on the Department of Homeland Security and the Newark ICE Field Office to immediately release Ali Faqirzada so he can return home to his family, continue his education, and pursue his asylum claim from within the community.
