Bayartulga A.: Deaf Mongolian asylum seeker held by ICE, denied sign language interpreter
Bayartulga Avirmed, a deaf Mongolian asylum seeker with a traumatic brain injury, was held at Otay Mesa without a sign language interpreter until a judge ordered one. He was freed in July and now lives with his sister in Virginia.
Feb 1, 2025San Diego, CACountry of origin: Mongolia

Bayartulga Avirmed, a deaf Mongolian who fled to the U.S. after surviving a disability-related assault that left him with a traumatic brain injury, was detained at Otay Mesa Detention Center since February and denied a qualified Mongolian Sign Language interpreter, with ICE at times relying on Google Translate. U.S. District Judge Dana Sabraw issued a preliminary injunction in July requiring an MSL interpreter, redone evaluations, a rescheduled competency hearing, and his sister's presence at proceedings. Avirmed was released from custody shortly after the ruling and is now living with his sister, a U.S. citizen, in Virginia, though his immigration case remains open.
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Sources
- Deaf Mongolian immigrant held by ICE in California for 4 months with no access to interpreter
CalMatters·Jul 11, 2025·archived copy
- Deaf Mongolian asylum seeker granted sign language interpreter for ICE hearings
Courthouse News·Jul 9, 2025·archived copy
- Disability Law United
- Government Publishing Office
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