ICE Arrests J.R. Tucker Student with Special Afghan Visa at Henrico Courthouse

(HENRICO COUNTY, VIRGINIA) Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested 19-year-old Arman Momand at the Henrico County courthouse on August 8, 2025, minutes after a judge resolved his local case without jail time. Momand, a student at J.R. Tucker High School, arrived in the United States with his family in 2021 on a special visa for Afghan nationals who helped U.S. military operations. He is now in federal immigration custody and faces a preliminary immigration hearing later in August, according to his attorney.

Momand’s arrest came after a December 2024 traffic case concluded with misdemeanors. Prosecutors had initially brought several charges, including reckless driving, evading police, and driving without a license. The most serious counts were dropped. In court, he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor reckless driving and disorderly conduct. The judge did not order jail time, and the case ended with minor penalties. Despite that outcome, ICE executed a detainer and took him into custody as he left the courtroom.

His immigration lawyer, Miriam Airington-Fisher, says the family’s visa was granted because of their support for U.S. military efforts in Afghanistan and that returning Momand to Afghanistan would expose him to danger. Momand’s defense lawyer, Casey Coleman, has also pointed to the family’s service, saying his father’s work for the U.S. government put them at risk.

State Senator Schuyler VanValkenburg condemned the arrest and urged federal officials to release Momand, arguing that the government should protect families who stood with American forces. Community leaders and advocates have urged Congressman Rob Wittman, Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, and Governor Glenn Youngkin to press for his release while his immigration case moves forward.

Case background and local legal outcome

Court records show the traffic case centered on a December 2024 driving incident. After negotiations, only two misdemeanors remained, and the judge imposed no jail time. The local case concluded the same day.

However, an ICE detainer allowed federal agents to take custody immediately afterward — a step that can occur even when a person’s criminal case involves only minor offenses.

This move highlights a common split between local criminal courts and federal immigration enforcement. A misdemeanor can be resolved without incarceration, yet ICE may still arrest someone based on immigration status, prior history, or pending proceedings. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, arrests tied to ICE detainers can follow state or local hearings and are not blocked by the outcome of the criminal case.

For the school community at J.R. Tucker High School, the arrest landed hard. Families and teachers know Momand as a student trying to rebuild his life after fleeing conflict. Now, with his hearing later this month, his immediate future is uncertain.

If ICE sets bond, he could return home while his case is pending. If not, he may remain detained through the next stages of proceedings.

Local and state leaders have rallied. VanValkenburg called for immediate release. Advocates have asked Virginia’s congressional delegation and the governor to engage federal agencies. Community members are watching for any sign that officials can help secure bond or deferred action while the case unfolds.

Policy context and risks for Afghan special visa holders

Momand’s family entered with a special visa designed for Afghans who worked for or with the United States. The program exists because these families face threats due to their support for U.S. operations.

The Department of State explains the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa pathway and its protections on its official page: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/afghan-special-immigrant-visa.html. Advocates say cases like Momand’s raise concerns about how these protections work on the ground for young people who fled the same conflict that put their families in danger.

The 2025 enforcement climate has made many Afghan families uneasy. While a local court can weigh context — youth, community ties, and the nature of the offense — immigration enforcement looks at different factors. Even a misdemeanor can trigger an arrest if ICE believes a person is removable or should face immigration court.

Lawyers stress that removal proceedings are civil, not criminal. This means the rights and outcomes differ from criminal court, and there is no government-paid lawyer in immigration court.

Typical SIV-related process (general overview)

Many applicants for the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa follow several administrative steps. These are general steps and are not a statement about Momand’s specific filings:

1. Seek Chief of Mission approval through the State Department.
2. File Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
   • Official form: https://www.uscis.gov/i-360
3. For those inside the U.S. qualifying to become permanent residents, file Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.
   • Official form: https://www.uscis.gov/i-485

These forms and steps are referenced to explain the general process and do not indicate Momand’s personal filings.

Risks, attorney recommendations, and practical steps for affected families

Attorneys say the stakes for SIV families remain high because conditions in Afghanistan are still unsafe for those linked to the U.S. Advocates warn that deporting a student like Arman Momand could put him directly in harm’s way. That is why this visa exists — a pathway built to protect people who helped the United States and now face threats because of it.

Practical steps for families in similar positions:

• Keep immigration documents, court papers, and proof of service to U.S. missions ready and organized.
• If ICE makes an arrest, contact an immigration attorney quickly to ask about bond, parole, or other release options.
• Remember that immigration court is separate from criminal court, and the right to an attorney does not include a free government-paid lawyer.
• Seek help from legal aid groups and pro bono clinics for screenings and representation resources.

Important: Outcomes in immigration court vary. A judge may set bond, continue the case, or address initial matters like representation and scheduling. If bond is denied, detention can last weeks or months depending on the docket and any appeals.

Current status and next steps

As of mid-August, Momand remains in ICE custody. A preliminary immigration hearing is set for later this month.

Possible near-term outcomes:
– Bond set → He could return home and to school while proceedings continue.
– No bond → He may remain detained for an extended period.

Officials and community members continue to press elected leaders to step in. Calls and letters have gone to:
– Congressman Rob Wittman
– Senator Tim Kaine
– Senator Mark Warner
– Governor Glenn Youngkin

Local outlets, including Richmond Times-Dispatch, CBS 6 News, and 12 On Your Side, are tracking developments. Advocates are urging federal agencies to recognize the original purpose of the Afghan SIV — protecting people like the Momand family.

For a teenager who fled war and attends high school in Henrico County, the immediate question is simple: Will he be allowed to return home while his immigration case proceeds, or will he remain detained despite the misdemeanor outcome in local court?

For now, the clock is ticking toward the August immigration hearing. What happens there will set the direction for Arman Momand’s case, and for many Afghan special visa families watching and wondering what the system will do next.