A federal judge in the United States has ordered that the asylum case of Mohammad Ali, also known as Mohammad Daniel, a former Afghan serviceman, be reconsidered by an immigration court. He has been detained for approximately three months at the Grand Forks Correctional Center.
Mohammad Ali was arrested on March 3 by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). His detention has attracted the attention of several legal organizations and advocates for asylum seekers’ rights in recent months.
According to U.S. media reports, Federal Judge Peter Welte granted Mohammad Ali’s petition and ordered that his case be reviewed again by the immigration court.
The ruling paves the way for a renewed assessment of both the legal basis for Mohammad Ali’s detention and his asylum application. The immigration court is expected to examine various aspects of the case during the new proceedings.
Before the collapse of Afghanistan’s former republic, Mohammad Ali worked in the country’s intelligence sector. Following the political changes in Afghanistan, he left the country and traveled to the United States.
According to published information, he departed Afghanistan in 2022 and, after passing through Iraq, Brazil, and several Central American countries, eventually reached the U.S.–Mexico border.
On February 11, 2024, Mohammad Ali presented himself to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at his scheduled appointment and formally initiated the legal process for seeking asylum.
Under the court’s latest decision, his case will be reconsidered through the immigration court system. During this process, the grounds for his asylum claim, the security situation in Afghanistan, and his personal circumstances will be reassessed.
The decision comes as many Afghan asylum seekers in the United States continue to face lengthy legal proceedings and administrative challenges, with numerous applicants still awaiting final decisions regarding their immigration status.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
