Rep. Matsui, advocates challenge ICE detentions of Afghan nationals in Sacramento

A California lawmaker and advocates are opposing the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown on Afghan nationals, following reports of more than a dozen detentions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the Sacramento area. Congresswoman Doris Matsui is leading the effort alongside NorCal Resist, the Council on American Islamic Relations and other supporters.”The gathering today is not symbolic. It’s a signal. It says we are paying attention,” Matsui said.They held a press conference outside the John Moss Federal building in Downtown Sacramento on Friday. Reshad Noorzay, who represents CAIR Sacramento Valley, highlighted the contributions of Afghan nationals who worked alongside U.S. forces as translators, interpreters, drivers, and journalists, risking their lives. “They fled under hardship, trusting that the United States would protect them. Today, that trust is being shattered,” Noorzay said.The immigration crackdown stems from the shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., allegedly by an Afghan national. NorCal Resist reports that ICE detained more than a dozen Afghan nationals this week, including six asylum seekers at the John Moss Federal Building during routine immigration court check-ins.”It’s deception, pure and simple. And it’s cruel,” Noorzay said.NorCal Resist says ICE agents also visited several predominantly Afghan apartment complexes in the Arden Arcade area, part of Sacramento. The capital city is known for having the largest Afghan population in the country. Besmellah Khuram, who has lived in the U.S. for more than a decade and worked with the Army Corps of Engineers and Marines, said the entire community should not be targeted.”Only individuals should be punished. They cannot target the whole group,” Khuram said.Khuram acknowledged the need for vetting refugees.”The troops’ withdrawal from Afghanistan, there was people just getting in the plane and got here unvetted,” he said. For now, Afghan advocates are offering support and legal assistance to those arrested by ICE. “We have the political, the legal, the legislative, working in tandem to make sure that we can fight this issue,” said Giselle Garcia, an advocate.The Trump administration is blaming the Biden administration, saying thousands of unvetted Afghan nationals, including alleged terrorists and criminals, entered the country after the Taliban attack in 2021. ICE has not responded to inquiries about the number of Afghans detained in the area or the reasons for their detention. Congresswoman Matsui has visited the federal building four times, demanding answers, accountability, and transparency.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

SACRAMENTO, Calif. —

A California lawmaker and advocates are opposing the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown on Afghan nationals, following reports of more than a dozen detentions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the Sacramento area.

Congresswoman Doris Matsui is leading the effort alongside NorCal Resist, the Council on American Islamic Relations and other supporters.

“The gathering today is not symbolic. It’s a signal. It says we are paying attention,” Matsui said.

They held a press conference outside the John Moss Federal building in Downtown Sacramento on Friday.

Reshad Noorzay, who represents CAIR Sacramento Valley, highlighted the contributions of Afghan nationals who worked alongside U.S. forces as translators, interpreters, drivers, and journalists, risking their lives.

“They fled under hardship, trusting that the United States would protect them. Today, that trust is being shattered,” Noorzay said.

The immigration crackdown stems from the shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., allegedly by an Afghan national.

NorCal Resist reports that ICE detained more than a dozen Afghan nationals this week, including six asylum seekers at the John Moss Federal Building during routine immigration court check-ins.

“It’s deception, pure and simple. And it’s cruel,” Noorzay said.

NorCal Resist says ICE agents also visited several predominantly Afghan apartment complexes in the Arden Arcade area, part of Sacramento. The capital city is known for having the largest Afghan population in the country.

Besmellah Khuram, who has lived in the U.S. for more than a decade and worked with the Army Corps of Engineers and Marines, said the entire community should not be targeted.

“Only individuals should be punished. They cannot target the whole group,” Khuram said.

Khuram acknowledged the need for vetting refugees.

“The troops’ withdrawal from Afghanistan, there was people just getting in the plane and got here unvetted,” he said.

For now, Afghan advocates are offering support and legal assistance to those arrested by ICE.

“We have the political, the legal, the legislative, working in tandem to make sure that we can fight this issue,” said Giselle Garcia, an advocate.

The Trump administration is blaming the Biden administration, saying thousands of unvetted Afghan nationals, including alleged terrorists and criminals, entered the country after the Taliban attack in 2021. ICE has not responded to inquiries about the number of Afghans detained in the area or the reasons for their detention. Congresswoman Matsui has visited the federal building four times, demanding answers, accountability, and transparency.

See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel