(ULSTER COUNTY, NEW YORK) An Afghan refugee living in Ulster County was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after a routine asylum interview and placed in expanded expedited removal proceedings, a process that can lead to deportation without a hearing before an immigration judge. The arrest, which occurred in recent days, has sparked a quick response among friends, local officials, and legal advocates who say the man faces grave danger if sent back to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.
At the heart of the case is the federal government’s renewed push to apply expanded expedited removal nationwide. Under the policy, which took effect on January 21, 2025 during the Trump administration, ICE and Customs and Border Protection can rapidly deport undocumented people anywhere in the United States who cannot show at least two years of continuous residence, often without a court hearing.
Local attorneys say that puts Afghan evacuees and parolees in a risky position if they lack documents proving long-term presence or if their asylum cases remain pending. Advocates in Ulster County say the man cooperated fully with the asylum process yet was transferred to ICE custody after his interview, a scenario that has become more common as enforcement has widened.
Community members have organized legal support and public outreach, stressing that he assisted U.S. interests and now faces persecution if removed. VisaVerge.com reports that similar detentions of Afghan parolees have increased as the expanded policy collides with backlogs in asylum processing and confusion over documentation.
Policy context and enforcement shift
Supporters point to a series of federal changes affecting Afghans since 2025. According to advocates, the Department of Homeland Security ended Temporary Protected Status for Afghans in July 2025, and the rollback of humanitarian parole has left many evacuees without a clear path to long-term status. These shifts have coincided with rising ICE arrests and expedited removals, including cases of people with pending asylum applications.
Legal challenges have temporarily blocked parts of the expanded expedited removal directives, but enforcement continues while lawsuits move through the courts. Lawyers say the patchwork effect confuses families and employers who assumed an asylum filing would protect against detention.
In practice, officers can still place someone into fast-track removal unless and until specific court orders or screenings change that outcome.
Expedited removal is meant for quick decisions by frontline officers. People who say they fear returning to their country should receive a “credible fear” screening. If they pass, they may be allowed to seek asylum in removal proceedings. If they do not, they can be removed rapidly.
But advocates in Ulster County warn that parolees and recent arrivals may struggle to show two years of residence, making them especially vulnerable to fast-track decisions, even when they have good-faith claims.
“Applicants should know when, how, and why custody decisions are made,” say local attorneys, who argue that predictability is essential to maintaining trust in the asylum process.
Community response and legal options
The community coalition backing the Ulster County Afghan refugee has emphasized both legal and humanitarian angles. They’re urging federal officials to release him while his case is reviewed and to honor promises made to Afghan allies.
Local leaders argue that fast-track deportation to Afghanistan could expose him to persecution or worse. Attorneys working with the family say they will seek immediate steps that may include:
- A request for release from ICE custody on humanitarian grounds
- A review of the credible fear process if not yet completed
- Submission of additional proof of identity, history, and risk in Afghanistan
- Rapid preparation of any missing materials for the asylum record
People seeking protection are encouraged to file Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal, as early as possible. The official instructions and form are available from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services at this link: Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal.
Filing creates a record of the claim, but it does not, by itself, guarantee protection from detention under expedited removal rules.
Advocacy groups are also pressing for a legislative fix. They point to the proposed Afghan Adjustment Act, which would give a pathway to permanent residency for Afghans who supported U.S. efforts and were evacuated to safety. Supporters say Congress should pass a clear, durable solution so families are not stuck in shifting policies.
However, the bill’s future on Capitol Hill is uncertain, and Afghans remain in limbo while debates continue in Washington.
Politics, practical advice, and risks
The politics are complex. Backers of expanded expedited removal say faster decisions help restore control of the system and discourage illegal entry. Opponents argue the policy sweeps in people with strong protections, including Afghan parolees who followed U.S. guidance after the fall of Kabul.
Community groups in Ulster County describe a climate of fear, noting that even routine check-ins or interviews can now lead to custody. The change in enforcement priorities has fed uncertainty among Afghans who assisted the U.S. military and now worry about removal.
Some state and local officials in New York have called for restraint in cases that involve wartime allies. Nationally, humanitarian groups warn that deportations to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan carry severe risks, including threats to life and safety for those who worked with U.S. forces.
For those seeking clarity, advocates stress several points:
- Expedited removal can happen quickly; time is critical.
- A credible fear claim may trigger a screening; prepare detailed testimony.
- Pending asylum does not automatically stop detention.
- Legal representation can improve access to protection screenings.
- Community support can help secure release and gather proof.
In practical terms, lawyers advise Afghan parolees and evacuees to keep copies of all identity documents, travel records, and proof of residence in the United States 🇺🇸. Useful items include:
- School enrollment records
- Pay stubs
- Lease agreements
- Bank statements
- Medical appointment records
- Dated photographs
Families should also know how to reach counsel quickly if a loved one is taken into ICE custody.
Broader implications and the Ulster County case
The Ulster County case raises questions about how federal agencies coordinate interviews and enforcement. Attorneys say trust in the asylum process erodes when people are detained after routine appointments, and that hesitancy to attend interviews can slow the system for everyone.
President Trump’s expansion of expedited removal in 2025, and ongoing legal challenges since then, have become a flashpoint in the national immigration debate. Supporters of the Afghan Adjustment Act have urged President Biden and Congress to act, saying only a permanent legal route will prevent similar detentions of Afghan allies who complied with U.S. rules but still lack lasting status.
For now, the Ulster County Afghan refugee remains in ICE custody while his supporters push for release and a fair review. His case mirrors a broader pattern reported by legal aid groups: Afghan families caught between policy changes, paperwork delays, and a fast-track removal system that can outpace due process.
As the community rallies, the outcome will signal how far expanded expedited removal reaches—and whether humanitarian promises made after the U.S. withdrawal will be honored.
This Article in a Nutshell
An Afghan refugee in Ulster County was detained by ICE after a routine asylum interview and placed into expanded expedited removal, a 2025 policy enabling removal without an immigration judge for people unable to prove two years of continuous U.S. residence. Advocates warn Afghan evacuees, parolees, and those with pending asylum claims are uniquely vulnerable due to documentation gaps and recent changes like the end of TPS in July 2025. Local lawyers and community members are organizing legal defense, seeking humanitarian release, credible-fear reviews, and gathering evidence of identity and U.S. presence. They also urge legislative solutions such as the Afghan Adjustment Act. The case underscores friction between stricter enforcement and humanitarian promises to wartime allies while lawsuits and policy challenges continue to shape outcomes.
