Afghan interpreter detained at immigration office despite legal status, released on bond after three months
Oct 21, 2025·Location: East Hartford, CT
Country of origin: Afghanistan

Zia S., a 36-year-old Afghan immigrant who served as a U.S. military interpreter, was detained by ICE on July 16, 2025, during a routine USCIS appointment in East Hartford, Connecticut, for biometric processing related to a Green Card application. Despite having lawful parole status until October 2026, no criminal convictions, and approval for humanitarian parole due to Taliban threats, he was moved to a detention facility in Plymouth, Massachusetts. A federal judge issued a 72-hour stay to prevent his deportation, and after nearly three months in custody, a second immigration judge ordered his release on a $15,000 bond on October 9, 2025. The government's subsequent motion to reverse the release was rejected on October 21, 2025. Zia was reunited with his wife and five children in Connecticut. His son Rihan was also detained by ICE in Plymouth during this period.
Timeline
Sources
- CT Afghan interpreter arrested in July freed from ICE detention, Blumenthal says
ctinsider.com·Oct 16, 2025·archived copy
- Ex-U.S. military interpreter from Afghanistan detained at East Hartford immigration office
nhregister.com·Jul 18, 2025·archived copy
- Judge Rejects Feds' Request to Reverse Release of Afghan Interpreter for US Military
military.com·Oct 21, 2025·archived copy
- Advocates, officials call for release of Afghan man arrested by ICE in CT
ctpublic.org·Jul 22, 2025·archived copy
- Afghan interpreter detained by ICE in CT released on bond
ctmirror.org·Oct 15, 2025·archived copy
- Feds call Afghan interpreter arrested by ICE in CT a national security risk
ctinsider.com·Jul 29, 2025·archived copy
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