ICE Detains Former Afghan Interpreter During Green Card Appointment
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained a former Afghan military interpreter in Connecticut, sparking condemnation from lawmakers who call the arrest a betrayal of allies.
Armed and masked agents from United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained Zia S., a former Afghan military interpreter, on July 15, 2025, during a routine biometrics appointment in East Hartford, Connecticut. Zia, a father of five who entered the U.S. legally in October 2024 via humanitarian parole and a Special Immigrant Visa, is currently held at the Plymouth County Correctional Facility in Massachusetts.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security claims Zia is under investigation for a "serious criminal allegation." However, his attorney, Lauren Cundick Petersen, asserts he has no criminal history and has followed all legal procedures. While Zia was placed in expedited removal proceedings, a U.S. District Court issued a stay of removal on July 18 following a habeas petition.
Democratic lawmakers and the veterans group AfghanEvac characterize the arrest as part of a broader immigration crackdown under President Donald Trump. They allege White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller directed ICE to meet a quota of 3,000 arrests per day. Senator Richard Blumenthal and Senator Chris Murphy condemned the use of masked agents as "un-American" and a betrayal of Afghan allies who risked their lives for U.S. troops. Advocates note that at least two other former Afghan military allies have also been seized as part of this effort.
