Sen. Blumenthal Visits Connecticut Afghan Interpreter Held in ICE Detention

Sen. Blumenthal met with Afghan interpreter Zia S. in ICE detention days after the Connecticut resident was taken during a routine green card biometrics visit. The senator said the case illustrates harmful enforcement and broken promises to U.S. allies.

Zia S., who aided U.S. forces in Afghanistan and entered the United States legally in October 2024, was detained July 16 in East Hartford and transferred to Plymouth County Correctional Facility (Mass.). A federal judge has stayed his removal; a court hearing is expected in September 2025.

Blumenthal called the detention “cruel and stupid,” argued there is no credible security risk, and vowed to press for any evidence officials claim to have. He visited on August 6, and on August 8 joined a bipartisan push for the “Fulfilling Promises to Afghan Allies Act,” a bill intended to open a path to permanent residency for wartime partners like Zia.

What happened and why it matters

• Who: Connecticut resident and Afghan interpreter Zia S.; Sen. Blumenthal; ICE.
• What: Detention after a USCIS biometrics appointment; expedited removal order issued; court stay granted.
• When: Detained July 16, 2025; senator’s visit August 6, 2025; bill introduced August 8, 2025.
• Where: Biometrics appointment in East Hartford; detained at Plymouth County Correctional Facility.
• Why: ICE claimed illegal entry; Zia’s team says he entered lawfully with parole and SIV approval.
• How: Masked agents detained him; expedited removal was used to fast-track deportation.

Zia’s legal posture

• He arrived on humanitarian parole and had an SIV (Special Immigrant Visa) approval from the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad.
• He has no criminal record and was in the process of applying for a green card.
• An expedited removal order was issued after detention — a tool that allows ICE to deport people quickly, often without a full hearing.
• A federal judge paused his removal; the September hearing will determine next steps.

What expedited removal means (plain terms)

• It’s a fast-track deportation process.
• Officers can order removal without sending the person to see a judge.
• People can still ask a court to intervene, but time is short.
• Critics say it can bypass basic fairness, especially for those with valid documents or pending status.

Broader enforcement trend

• Connecticut ICE arrests rose to 247 between Jan 20–mid-June 2025, up from 110 in the same period in 2024 — a 125% increase.
• Nationwide detention also climbed: 39,703 adults held in Jan 2025; by July, at least 56,000 people in ICE detention — about half without criminal convictions.
• Advocates and academics say this undermines claims that enforcement targets “the worst of the worst.”

What Blumenthal and others say

• Sen. Blumenthal: The detention betrays U.S. promises to allies and risks future cooperation in war zones. He’s using his Senate clearance to seek any security files ICE cites.
• Rep. Bill Keating: Criticizes the use of expedited removal against people with clean records and pending status.
• Advocacy groups: #AfghanEvac and legal organizations call for release and for Congress to fix gaps leaving Afghan allies in limbo.

“The detention betrays U.S. promises to allies and risks future cooperation in war zones.” — Sen. Blumenthal (paraphrased)

Policy claims and quotas debate

• Advisers in the Trump administration reportedly pushed aggressive targets — 3,000 arrests per day and 1,000,000 removals per year — though officials deny formal quotas.
• Internal communications and budget documents have referenced those figures. The White House says enforcement follows law and resources; critics argue a numbers-first approach drives arrests like Zia’s.
• Analysis from VisaVerge.com indicates stepped-up operations at USCIS sites and courthouses, spreading fear that required appointments could lead to arrest.

How this affects Afghan allies and families

• Growing fear of attending required biometrics or interviews can delay or derail green card cases.
• Families face sudden separation when a parent is detained at a government office.
• People who helped U.S. troops may question whether the country will keep its word, which could harm future missions abroad.

Legislative path: “Fulfilling Promises to Afghan Allies Act”

• Introduced August 8, 2025 by Blumenthal and a bipartisan group.
• Aims to give Afghan interpreters and other partners a direct route to permanent residency, filling gaps in the SIV and parole systems.
• Many arrived via humanitarian parole after the 2021 withdrawal; parole is temporary and does not guarantee a green card.
• The bill’s outcome will indicate how far Congress will go to protect allies.

What people in similar situations can do now

1. Attend required USCIS appointments, but come prepared:
   • Bring copies of parole documents, SIV approvals, receipts for pending applications, and attorney contact details.
2. If detained:
   • Family or counsel can search via the ICE Online Detainee Locator System and request a legal visit promptly.
3. Legal actions to consider:
   • Ask your lawyer about filing for a stay of removal, bond, or parole from custody. Judges sometimes grant temporary relief.
4. Documentation:
   • Keep proof of lawful entry and any military support letters; these can be crucial in custody and removal proceedings.
5. Court vigilance:
   • Track court dates closely. Missing a hearing can lead to automatic removal.

Key forms and official resources

• Many Afghan parolees seek adjustment of status using Form I-485. See USCIS for current instructions: https://www.uscis.gov/i-485
• USCIS biometrics notices list date, time, and location — bring the notice and ID. Arrests at these visits, while rare historically, are occurring more often in the current climate.
• For detained relatives: use the ICE Online Detainee Locator and contact local legal aid. Note that USCIS and ICE are separate; USCIS records may prove lawful status but cannot prevent ICE arrests.

What’s next for Zia

• A September 2025 court hearing will shape his future and could influence ICE treatment of other Afghan parolees with similar cases.
• If the bipartisan bill advances, it may provide a permanent fix for many allies, including those with pending SIVs or parole.
• Blumenthal says he will press ICE and DHS for transparency and push for Zia’s release pending the court date.

Stakeholder impacts

• Immigrants: Higher risk of arrest at government buildings; need strong documentation and legal plans.
• Employers: Workers with parole or pending status may face sudden detention, disrupting businesses and families.
• Schools and communities: Children may suffer trauma from abrupt separations; local groups can offer support.
• Veterans: Often rely on Afghan partners’ stories to advocate for protection; cases like Zia’s can either strengthen or weaken trust.

Bottom line and practical takeaways

• ICE detention is rising. People with no criminal history are being detained, including those with parole or SIV approvals.
• Expedited removal moves fast. Legal help and swift filings can pause removal, as in Zia’s case.
• Keep every document, attend all appointments, and consult a qualified attorney before high-risk steps like biometrics if you’re concerned.
• Watch the “Fulfilling Promises to Afghan Allies Act.” If passed, it could give thousands of Afghan partners a reliable path to a green card.

For case help, constituents can contact Sen. Blumenthal’s office at blumenthal.senate.gov or (202) 224-2823. Families can also reach out to local legal aid and #AfghanEvac for support.

Zia’s case, and others like it, will test how the United States treats those who stood by its troops — and how policy choices affect everyday lives in Connecticut and beyond.