Trump’s ICE Detains Afghan Allies Amid Immigration Crackdown

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By Newsroom with Agencies

In a move that has sparked controversy and concern, the Trump administration’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has detained Afghan allies who once worked closely with U.S. forces. Among them is Nasib, a former Afghan intelligence officer who aided American troops for over a decade. His detention, without clear explanation, has ignited fears among other Afghan allies seeking asylum in the United States.

A Perilous Journey to Safety

After the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, thousands of Afghan allies, fearing Taliban retaliation, sought refuge in the United States. Nasib, who served 13 years in Afghan military intelligence, worked alongside American personnel and was credited with saving American lives. His close association with U.S. forces made him a prime target for the Taliban, forcing him into hiding after the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan.

Denied a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) due to his employment with the Afghan government, Nasib pursued alternative routes to safety. He fled to Mexico and applied for asylum at the U.S. border in early 2024. He was granted temporary parole and settled into life in the U.S., working to support his family while awaiting his asylum hearing scheduled for the spring of 2025.

Detained Without Explanation

Nasib’s fate took a drastic turn when he attended a routine check-in with ICE in February 2025. According to his attorney, Susan (whose name has been changed for security reasons), Nasib was detained without warning. Susan was prevented from accompanying him, and when she inquired about the reason for his detention, an ICE agent reportedly responded, “New administration.”

“Nasib had lawful parole,” Susan said. “There was no justification for his detention. He has no criminal record, and his case is still pending.”

His detention comes amid the Trump administration’s renewed immigration crackdown, which has led to the deportation of Afghan migrants. Reports indicate that some Afghan asylum seekers have already been sent to Panama, where they remain in legal limbo without representation.

Humanitarian Concerns Grow

Nasib’s detention has raised serious humanitarian concerns. He has been taking antidepressants for 14 years, but ICE has allegedly refused to provide him with the necessary medication. Additionally, he has been denied access to halal food and a Quran, despite his religious obligations during Ramadan.

“This is not just an immigration issue; this is a human rights issue,” Susan stated. “Nasib risked his life for the United States, and now he’s being treated as a criminal.”

Nasib’s case underscores the broader challenges faced by Afghan allies who sought protection from the U.S. Many who worked with American forces in Afghanistan now face uncertainty, with the suspension of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) following Trump’s executive order on January 20, 2025.

Uncertain Future for Afghan Allies

As the Biden-era policies on Afghan refugees are rolled back, legal experts warn that many former allies could face deportation to a country where their lives are at risk.

“Afghans like Nasib stood with America,” Susan said. “Now America is turning its back on them.”

Advocacy groups are calling for the immediate release of Nasib and others in similar situations, urging the administration to honor its commitments to those who risked their lives for U.S. forces.

With no clear resolution in sight, Nasib remains in ICE detention, awaiting a decision that could determine whether he finds safety in the country he once served—or is sent back to a nation where his life is in imminent danger.