News Summary
A federal judge has ordered the release of Sayed Naser Noori, a former Afghan interpreter for the U.S. military, who was detained by ICE. Noori was arrested during his first asylum hearing after his case was dismissed without proper notice. The judge asserted that his rights to due process were violated, leading to his release and a chance to continue pursuing asylum in the U.S. This ruling highlights ongoing issues surrounding asylum seekers and their treatment in immigration processes.
San Diego, CA – A federal judge has ordered the release of Sayed Naser Noori, a former Afghan interpreter for the U.S. military, from the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Noori had been detained for nearly four months following his arrest during his first asylum hearing in the United States.
Noori’s legal troubles began on June 12, when he attended an asylum hearing after entering the U.S. last year. At that hearing, government attorneys dismissed his asylum case, claiming that his notice to appear in court was “improvidently issued.” After this dismissal, Noori found himself arrested and placed in expedited removal proceedings, a process that can expedite deportation for individuals seeking asylum.
U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel ruled that Noori’s rights to due process were violated when his humanitarian parole was revoked without any written notice, reasoning, or opportunity for him to defend himself. The judge emphasized that a formal notification must be provided for revoking parole, which was not the case for Noori.
With the court’s decision, Not only has he been ordered to be released, but the judge also mandated that he be returned to his original parole conditions. Following this, Noori is expected to continue pursuing his asylum request in the U.S., having indicated in his application that the Taliban killed his brother at a family wedding and that his family has longstanding ties with the U.S. through a contracting company.
Supporters of Noori, including Shawn VanDiver, president of the nonprofit organization AfghanEvac, expressed that the judge’s ruling was a positive development. They highlighted that it could set a precedent for similar cases where individuals face due process violations during their immigration processes. Furthermore, VanDiver described the conditions of Noori’s detention as inadequate and expressed relief regarding his release.
The ruling stipulated that Sayed Naser Noori cannot be taken into custody again without further court orders. However, no official response from ICE on Noori’s release has been reported to date, leaving some uncertainty about his immediate future.
Noori had initially entered the U.S. through a CBP One appointment at San Ysidro last year. After residing in the country, he sought asylum, fearing repercussions for his assistance to U.S. forces in Afghanistan. His case underscores the precarious situation many former allies of the United States face as they navigate the complex immigration system. With the judge’s recent ruling, Noori has the opportunity to continue his pursuit of safety and security in the United States, away from the threats posed by the Taliban.
The developments in Noori’s case highlight ongoing discussions surrounding the treatment of asylum seekers and those who have assisted U.S. military efforts abroad. As the situation evolves, many will be watching to see how similar cases are handled in the future.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Detention of Afghan Translator Sparks Outrage in San Diego
Additional Resources
- NBC San Diego
- Wikipedia: Asylum in the United States
- Times of San Diego
- Google Search: Afghan interpreter ICE detention
- CBS 8
- Google Scholar: Afghan interpreter asylum
- LA Times
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Afghan refugees in the United States
- Fox 5 San Diego
- Google News: ICE detention cases
Author: STAFF HERE SAN DIEGO WRITER
SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER The SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanDiego.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Diego, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Comic-Con International, San Diego County Fair, and San Diego Pride Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Diego County, plus leading businesses in biotechnology, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Qualcomm, Illumina, and Scripps Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
