Afghan military translator detained at immigration hearing in San Diego
Jun 12, 2025 · San Diego, CA, Afghanistan

Sayed Naser, an Afghan national who worked as a translator and logistics contractor for U.S. military forces in Afghanistan, was detained by ICE agents during a routine immigration hearing at a San Diego courthouse on June 12, 2025. Naser entered the U.S. legally in July 2024 through humanitarian visa to Brazil and Mexico, and had been granted humanitarian parole while applying for a Special Immigrant Visa and asylum. His brother was killed by the Taliban in September 2023, forcing Naser and his family into hiding in Iran. According to his attorney Brian McGoldrick, Naser has no criminal record, an active asylum case, and his brother was granted asylum weeks before his detention. During the hearing, the government attempted to dismiss his asylum case without explanation, but the judge declined and gave Naser time to respond. Naser is being held at Otay Mesa Detention Center and is unable to contact his family, who remain in hiding in Iran during an internet blackout.
Sources
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