Pakistani man threatened by Taliban asks for asylum twice in U.S. detention — officer says 'Okay' and never follows up — expelled to Panama
Feb 12, 2025·Location: Los Angeles, CA
Country of origin: Pakistan
Ahmad, a man from Pakistan who was threatened by the Taliban, crossed from Mexico to the U.S. at Tijuana on February 9, 2025, raising his hands and saying 'I want asylum.' He was taken to a detention center in Los Angeles for two days. A uniformed official asked only how much money he had and how he came to the U.S., took his fingerprints and photographed him, and asked basic biographical questions — nothing more. The official did not tell him anything about his rights. During this interview, Ahmad said again, 'I want asylum.' The official said 'Okay' but did not ask why he left Pakistan or why he asked for asylum. He was expelled to Panama on a military plane.
Sources
- “Nobody Cared, Nobody Listened”
hrw.org·Apr 24, 2025·archived copy
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