US wartime ally embraces freedom after spending ‘hardest days’ of his life in ICE detention 

An ally of the U.S. Army in Afghanistan on Thursday shared his thoughts on being free after spending months in immigration detention. For one, it gave him a new perspective.

“I can say that freedom is the most beautiful feeling,” the man identified only as Sayed Naser said during a morning press conference at the Veterans Museum at Balboa Park with his brother, attorney and advocates alongside him. 

For another, recalling the day in June when he was first surrounded by immigration officers, he said he did not believe he was truly being detained until he met others in the same situation. 

One day in detention, he said, felt like an entire month, and among the most difficult trials he experienced was finding himself wearing prison garb. In all, he called his three-plus months in custody the “hardest days of my life”.

“I never expected to be detained in the United States of America because I was a U.S. government ally back in my home country,” Sayed said. 

His attorney and supporters asked that Sayed’s full name be withheld for security reasons while standing with him Thursday. They gave him almost a week to recuperate from his time in detention before he appeared to offer his first detailed public comments about his ordeal, but his case has attracted substantial attention since the summer.

He is aware of that support and spoke of the large number of people in this country who disapproved of his detention.

“They stand with me,” Sayed said. “It shows that the Americans are there with their allies, they support us.”

Sayed was arrested by immigration authorities in June at his first asylum hearing since entering the U.S. legally last year after fleeing Afghanistan.

Despite being granted humanitarian parole, government attorneys said his notice to appear in court was “improvidently issued.” He was then arrested and placed in expedited removal proceedings. Though his regular immigration case was still pending, the government did not offer him an explanation or a chance to be heard in court after his detention.

Last Friday, U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel ordered Sayed’s release, finding that he had been deprived of his due process rights. The full order was released Thursday. Along with his release, the judge ordered that his original parole conditions should be restored.

“I helped the U.S. government back in my home country and I expected them to provide me with a legal path to become a U.S. citizen,” Sayed said. 

Allies were promised protection in the U.S. in return for their services in Afghanistan in support of the U.S. military mission. Under the Trump administration, these protections have been dismantled.

Sayed had work authorization, but lost his job during his months in detention. He said he previously worked in sales and enjoys finance, so he will resume looking for work in either of those fields. 

His attorney, Brian McGoldrick, said that a habeas corpus petition was the only option to get Sayed’s release. 

“ICE was recalcitrant. They were not going to let him out,” McGoldrick said. 

Despite the celebration of his release, the attorney said the fight is not over. Sayed is still awaiting adjudication of his Special Immigrant Visa and has his asylum claim to defend. 

Shawn VanDiver, executive director of AfghanEvac, a nonprofit that supports relocation and resettlement of Afghan allies, called Sayed brave.

“He’s taken on a lot of risk by being out here. And I think it’s a testament to his character that he’s taken on an unexpected leadership role.”

Rep. Scott Peters, D-San Diego, left a recorded video message directed to the former detainee, saying:

“I wish all of these stories could turn out like yours: that you’re back, that you’re free and that you’re part of our American community,” the congressman said.