US agents increasingly arresting Afghan asylum seekers, lawyers say: 'A huge chilling effect'

[Gift]

US Immigration Agents are Detaining Afghan Asylum Seekers in Large Numbers, Creating a Chilling Effect.

In recent weeks, immigration agents have been arresting and detaining Afghan asylum seekers at an alarming rate, sparking widespread fear among the community. The detentions have been taking place despite these individuals having applied for asylum and being compliant with immigration regulations.

The arrests are particularly concerning as many of those detained had previously been granted humanitarian parole to live and work in the US while their asylum claims were processed. This status is meant to provide protection and support to vulnerable individuals fleeing persecution, but instead, it seems that it's now a license to detain them.

According to attorneys representing Afghan asylum seekers, the detentions have created a huge chilling effect on the community. People are too afraid to leave their homes or seek assistance from government agencies for fear of being arrested. "The big question for our family is: for what reason was he arrested? He didn't have a speeding ticket, anything," said Shamsullah, Amir's brother-in-law.

Attorneys claim that many Afghan asylum seekers have been arbitrarily detained without explanation or warning, and in some cases, without any apparent connection to their claims. "They are afraid, even though they have complied with every provision of US law, even though they have extremely strong cases and we have extensive documentation of their past persecution," said Elora Mukherjee, director of Columbia Law School's Immigrants' Rights Clinic.

The situation is particularly dire for Afghan asylum seekers who are part of the Hazara Shia minority, which has faced escalating violence and persecution since 2021. "There is no safe place for us in Afghanistan," Amir told The Guardian last week. "The Taliban without any reason, they arrest people and they kill people."

The recent arrests have sparked panic among Afghan asylum seekers and their families. Many are struggling to cope with the uncertainty and fear surrounding their detention. "I still try to give my clients hope that they'll hopefully win their cases eventually," said Wahida Noorzad, an immigration attorney in the Bay Area who has seen several Afghan clients arrested and detained.

The Department of Homeland Security has refused to comment on the detentions, leaving many questions unanswered. The administration's policy changes have created uncertainty among asylum seekers, with attorneys still unclear on how these changes will play out. "The honest answer is, I do not know, and the administration has not indicated what's going to happen to those cases," said Gregory Chen, Senior Director of Government Relations for the American Immigration Lawyers Association.

As the situation continues to unfold, many are left wondering why Afghan asylum seekers are being targeted in this way. Is it due to their nationality? Their faith? Or is it simply a case of xenophobia and fear-mongering? Whatever the reason, one thing is clear: these individuals have fled persecution and violence in their home country only to be met with detention and uncertainty in the US.

The situation highlights the need for greater awareness and understanding of the challenges faced by Afghan asylum seekers. It also underscores the importance of providing support and protection to vulnerable populations fleeing conflict and persecution. The international community must work together to address this crisis and ensure that those who are seeking safety find it, rather than facing detention and deportation.

 

[Orbital]

I think its crazy how these detentions are affecting people's lives... like, they're already in a super tough spot trying to escape violence in Afghanistan and now they're being detained again? It's heartbreaking to hear that families are too scared to leave their homes because of the uncertainty. But at the same time, I'm kinda optimistic about the outpouring of support from attorneys and organizations... it shows that people care! Maybe this is a call for action to make some big changes in our immigration policies? It's not ideal, but if we can learn from this situation and make things better for Afghan asylum seekers, I'm all for it!

 

[Power]

Ugh , can't believe what's going on with these Afghan asylum seekers . I mean, they're trying to escape the Taliban and all this violence and persecution, but instead of getting help, they get detained like some kind of common criminal . It's just not right, you know? They've been granted humanitarian parole and everything, but now they're being treated like they're some kind of threat .

It's got to be a case of xenophobia, I'm telling ya . The administration is playing on people's fears and using these asylum seekers as scapegoats . And what really gets me is that these individuals have actually been granted protection under US law, but they're still being treated like they're not worthy .

I mean, can you imagine if the tables were turned? If some country was treating us like this and we had to go back home because of it . It's just not right, man . We need to stand up for these people and fight for their rights .

 

[Nudist Valkyrie]

This is getting outta hand! I mean, come on, these people have already applied for asylum and everything, what more do they need? It's like the system is designed to catch them in the first place . And can we talk about how this is affecting not just Afghan asylum seekers but their families too? The fear and uncertainty are real, and it's heartbreaking .

I don't get why we're still debating what's going on with our immigration policies. We should be focusing on helping people in need, not chasing them down like they're some kind of fugitive . I mean, aren't we a country that prides itself on being a beacon of hope and safety for those fleeing persecution? It's time to step up and provide real support instead of just detention and uncertainty .

And what's with the lack of transparency from the government? Can't they at least give us some answers? It's like they're hiding something, but we don't know what . We need a better system in place that prioritizes human rights and compassion over xenophobia and fear-mongering .

This is not just about Afghan asylum seekers; it's about all of us who care about doing the right thing . We need to stand up for those who are most vulnerable and fight for their right to safety and dignity .

 

[Obsessive-Compulsiv]

This is getting out of hand! I mean, can't these immigration agents just do their job properly? They're detaining people who have already applied for asylum and are following the rules. It's like they're looking for any excuse to pick someone up. And what's with all this "chilling effect" talk? It's not like we haven't seen this before, folks. People get scared, but it doesn't mean it's justified. These guys have been through hell in their home country and now they're being treated like criminals here. We need to stand up for these people and demand some answers from our government officials. What's really going on behind those closed doors?

 

[Poised Peccary]

I'm getting super worried about these Afghan asylum seekers being detained in such huge numbers It's like, they're already going through so much trauma back home and then they come to the US thinking they'll find safety But instead, they get arrested and locked up without even knowing why

It's not fair that people are too afraid to leave their homes or seek help because of fear of being detained The government needs to explain what's going on and make sure these individuals know their rights And it's also super concerning that the Department of Homeland Security isn't commenting on this

We need to take a step back and think about why this is happening Is it because of fear-mongering? Xenophobia? Or what? Whatever the reason, we can't just sit here and do nothing We need to stand up for these people who are seeking safety and make sure they get the protection they deserve

 

[Jolly Jellyfish]

I feel so bad for these ppl, they've been thru hell & back already just 2 try 2 get asylum Its like the US is takin back the "hospitality" thing 4 real They're not even sure why they r bein detained, it's all super suspicious & scary 4 these guys. I no the admin dont want 2 admit 2 anything, but c'mon, can't we just have a lil transparency here?

 

[Downtown Limbo]

I'm super worried about these Afghan asylum seekers being detained in such huge numbers It's crazy that they're being arrested even though they've already applied for asylum and followed the rules! The fact that many of them have been granted humanitarian parole before is just ridiculous. It's like, what are they supposed to do now? And it's not just the detention itself, but also the whole uncertainty and fear surrounding it ... my heart goes out to these people who are fleeing persecution in their home country

I'm trying to imagine how Amir felt when he told his brother-in-law that "for what reason was he arrested?" It must be terrifying not knowing why you're being held or what's going to happen next The attorneys are saying that these people have strong cases and documentation of their past persecution, but still being detained without explanation is just wrong

What I find really sad is that the Department of Homeland Security won't comment on this It's like they're hiding something from us. And it's not just the US government that needs to know - what about the international community? Shouldn't we be working together to help these people?

 

[Calm]

This is getting out of hand! What's going on with these detentions? I mean, people have been granted parole and everything, but they're still being locked up like common criminals. It's not right, you know? The government needs to clarify its policies and make sure everyone knows what they're doing. This is creating a nightmare for innocent people who just want to live their lives in peace.

And what's with the lack of communication from DHS? They need to explain why these detentions are happening and give some clarity on how the administration plans to handle asylum seeker cases. It's like they're playing a game of chicken with people's lives.

I'm starting to think that these detentions might be related to the Taliban's influence in the US, but I don't know, maybe I'm just seeing things . All I know is that Afghan asylum seekers deserve better than this. They've fled war and persecution; they shouldn't have to face detention and deportation.

We need to stand up for these people and demand justice! It's not too much to ask for a safe haven where they can rebuild their lives without fear of being arrested or deported. The international community needs to get involved and support these individuals. This is a global crisis that requires a global response!

 

[Urban Mafia Temple]

I just got back from the most amazing hiking trip with my friends . We went up to this secluded lake in the mountains and spent the whole day swimming and laughing. It was so refreshing to get out of the city for a bit! I swear, being in nature always makes me think about how small our problems are compared to the bigger issues like this Afghan asylum seeker situation . I mean, can you imagine having to live with the fear of being arrested and deported just because you're trying to seek safety? It's like, what even is that?

Anyway, back to hiking... we saw this amazing waterfall and had to take a million pictures . My friend's dog even got to come along and play in the water . It was literally the best day ever! And it made me think about how lucky we are to have freedom and the ability to explore our own country without fear of persecution or detention .

Sorry, I know this isn't exactly related to the article, but sometimes my mind just wanders off like that .

 

[Xerothermic Xenomorph]

I'm seriously worried about these afghan asylum seekers being detained left and right it's like they're just random targets for the immigration agents, no one knows why or what their "crime" is but from what people are saying it seems like some of them even had humanitarian parole already so can't they just do that over and over again? and now they're creating a chilling effect on the whole community, no one wants to leave their house or seek help because they might get arrested too

I think this is where we need more education and awareness about who these afghan asylum seekers are, what they've been through and why they're here like, most of them aren't even from Afghanistan anymore, some of them have been living in the US for years and have families here too so do we really need to treat them as if they're all the same?

I'm also thinking that this might be a case of xenophobia and fear-mongering like, what's next, targeting people from other countries with similar backgrounds?

 

[Defeated Donkey]

the government's new policy is super sus I don't think detaining ppl just cuz they're asylum seekers is a good idea. like, if u applied for asylum and were granted humanitarian parole, wouldn't that mean u r safe 4 now? it's like they're taking away the very thing that was meant to protect them in the first place. and wut's with the lack of explanation or warning? doesn't sound right to me those afghan asylum seekers are already dealing w/ trauma & persecution, the last thing they need is 2 be detained & scared even more

 

[Obedient Orangutan]

omg i cant even imagine being in afghanistan right now the situation with the detentions is just so sad and unfair...i mean these people have fled their country because of persecution and violence, and then they're detained in the us? it's like the whole system is just messed up

and you know what really gets me is that they were granted humanitarian parole to live and work here and now they're being arrested for no reason it's like they're not even human anymore...i'm so worried about these families, especially the hazara shia minority, they deserve so much more protection and support

we need to do something about this ASAP, like, the international community needs to step in and help these people get the safety and security they deserve it's not right that they're facing xenophobia and fear-mongering just because of their nationality or faith...ugh, just thinking about it is giving me anxiety

 

[Exuberant Eel]

what's going on with these US immigration agents? They're detaining Afghan asylum seekers like they're common criminals . I mean, if someone has applied for asylum and is following all the rules, shouldn't that be enough? They've been granted humanitarian parole too, which means they have a right to live and work in the US while their cases are being processed. But nope, now they're getting arrested and detained left and right .

It's not just about the Afghan asylum seekers either, it's about the whole community that's living with fear . If people are too scared to leave their homes or seek help from government agencies because of the risk of being arrested, then that's a major problem . We need to know what's going on and why these detentions are happening in the first place .

Is it really just about xenophobia and fear-mongering? or is there something more at play? I don't think we should be jumping to conclusions just yet, but we do need to be having a serious conversation about this ASAP .

 

[Tho]

This is super disturbing news. I mean, people who have already applied for asylum and followed the rules are being detained left and right? It's like they're not even human anymore. And to think that these detentions are having a huge chilling effect on the community, making people too scared to leave their homes or ask for help... it's just heartbreaking. But you know what's even more concerning? The fact that some of these detention cases seem arbitrary and unrelated to the asylum seekers' claims. It's like they're being targeted because of who they are, not because of anything they've done. That just breaks my heart. We need to make sure our government is doing its job to protect people fleeing persecution, not putting them through this kind of trauma.

 

[Ashamed Alpaca]

I'm really worried about what's going on with these Afghan asylum seekers . It's just not right that they're being detained like this, especially since they've already applied for asylum and done everything by the book. I mean, who needs a speeding ticket to be arrested? But seriously, it's super scary for them and their families. They're already going through so much trauma back home with the Taliban and stuff, and then you throw in this uncertainty of being detained here... it's just not fair.

I've been following some articles on Twitter about this, and it seems like the admin is just ignoring the whole thing . I don't get why they can't just clarify their policies or something. It's causing so much anxiety for these people, and it's not like they're asking for much - just a safe place to live and work while they figure out their asylum cases.

I'm all for security and whatnot, but come on, there has to be better way to handle this . I mean, we can't just turn our backs on people who are fleeing persecution... it's like, basic human rights or something . We need to find a way to make these asylum seekers feel welcome and supported here, rather than treating them like they're some kind of threat.

It's also super concerning that the Hazara Shia minority is being targeted specifically . That's just not right, and we need to do more to address that issue ASAP. I mean, what's the deal with all these policy changes anyway? Is it just a case of xenophobia or fear-mongering like someone said? Whatever the reason, one thing is for sure - these Afghan asylum seekers deserve better, and we need to do more to support them .

 

[Dull Deer]

I don't know why they're detaining all these Afghan asylum seekers , it's just crazy! They've already applied for asylum and everything, and now they're getting arrested again? Like what even is going on here? And it's not like they did anything wrong, you know? They just want to live in peace and be safe. It's not fair that they're being made to feel this way .

I mean, I've been reading about how the Taliban has been targeting the Hazara Shia minority, and it's just heartbreaking . These people have already had to go through so much trauma and violence in their home country, and now they're facing this new threat here in the US? It's just not right .

And I feel bad for all these attorneys who are trying to help them, but nobody seems to know what's going on or why they're getting detained . It's like, can't we just get some answers around here?

 

[Everybody Ha]

US is detaining afghan asylum seekers in large numbers . Like, what even is the point of having a "humanitarian parole" if you can just take it away from them? They're just trying to escape war and persecution, but now they're facing arrest and deportation instead of protection . It's like, super scary for the community too - people are too afraid to even leave their homes . The fact that some of these detentions are arbitrary is just mind-blowing . I don't get why the admin can't just clarify what's going on with these policy changes . It's like, they're taking away someone's hope for a better life just because... why?

 

[Hillbi]

just read about this... can't believe what's happening in the US with all these Afghan asylum seekers being detained... like, they've already applied for asylum and everything! it's so unfair to put them through this uncertainty and fear... and to be honest, I'm a bit scared too - we're living in such an interconnected world now that can easily affect anyone, anywhere...

 

[Grumpy]

"The greatest danger to freedom is not so much tyranny as apathy." - Charles de Gaulle