An Afghan refugee and Bard College student who was detained by federal immigration authorities after an asylum interview last fall has been released from ICE custody following a months-long legal and advocacy effort.
Phillip Pantuso of the Times Union reports that Ali Faqirzada spent about six months at a New Jersey detention facility after being arrested in October 2025, despite having been told he had a viable asylum claim. His case drew widespread attention in the Hudson Valley and became a rallying point for immigrant advocates, with support from Bard College, religious groups, community members and elected officials.
Faqirzada’s family fled Afghanistan due to Taliban threats and resettled in New Paltz in 2022. While his relatives have received asylum, his case remains pending. Before his detention, he was a full-time student at Bard and worked as a hospital security guard with legal work authorization.
His release follows legal challenges and sustained public pressure, including appeals by his attorneys after an earlier denial of release. Bard College officials confirmed he has returned to campus and is expected to resume his studies.
Advocates and supporters say the outcome reflects months of organizing and highlights concerns about the detention of asylum-seekers navigating legal immigration processes.
Image: Ali Faqirzada. (Go Fund Me)