HOUSTON \u2013 Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher\u2019s office says an 18-year-old Bellaire High School student who was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at Houston\u2019s Hobby Airport has been released from detention. <\/p>\n
Teachers and friends identify the student as Alim Garipov, an 18-year-old originally from Russia. According to those close to him, Garipov was traveling with family members to visit colleges when he was detained.<\/p>\n
In a joint statement, immigration lawyer Olsa Alikaj-Cano of Cano Immigration PLLC, Congresswoman Fletcher (TX-07), and Alim\u2019s family, say his release was secured following a community-wide advocacy effort.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are relieved and grateful that Alim has finally been released from detention and reunited with his family. This outcome came after a tireless, expeditious effort over the weekend, working in partnership to secure Alim\u2019s release. So many people across our city\u2014his friends, teachers, coaches, and so many others\u2014rallied behind Alim in support, and those who know him know it\u2019s easy to understand why. He is an extraordinary young man with a bright future ahead of him. He loves his family and this country, and he has done everything the right way, legally, throughout this process. Too many immigrant families in our community and across the country are facing similar uncertainty and separation, and we are actively working to help many others facing the same fear. We will continue working to help members of our community in these challenging times, and we will continue to advocate for an end to the unfair and unjust policies that led to this heartbreaking situation in the first place. We hope that everyone who expressed concern for Alim will continue to do so for him and for others\u2014it matters.\u201d<\/p>\n
What ICE is saying<\/p>\n
ICE confirmed Garipov was arrested in Houston on July 17, saying he remained in the United States after his authorized stay expired.<\/p>\n
In a statement, ICE said Garipov was admitted to the United States in 2022 as a non-immigrant but did not depart before his authorized stay expired.<\/p>\n
The agency said a pending asylum application does not confer legal immigration status and that individuals detained by ICE continue to receive due process under federal law.<\/p>\n
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