Larson Calls for the Release of Afghan Man Detained by ICE in East Hartford
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) released the following statement calling for the release of Zia, an Afghan man who was detained by masked ICE agents in East Hartford in an unmarked van. He is currently being held in Plymouth, Massachusetts.
“I remain disturbed by the Trump Administration’s continued abuses of power – this time, masked ICE agents taking an Afghan visa holder into an unmarked van in my hometown of East Hartford,” said Larson. “Zia bravely risked his life in Afghanistan – allying with our Armed Forces to stand up for the American values that we hold dear. He came to our country through the legal process and was in the process of getting his green card when masked ICE agents approached Zia in East Hartford and detained him in an unmarked van. We should be upholding our promise to Zia and all our allies from Afghanistan, so they can live their lives free from persecution. This blatant violation of due process should alarm every American. I join Rep. Jahana Hayes, Senator Blumenthal, and our colleagues in the Connecticut Congressional delegation calling for Zia’s release. I will continue to stand up for our immigrant communities in Connecticut to ensure everyone is protected equally under the law.”
Rep. Larson is a cosponsor of the No Secret Police Actin Congress, which would require law enforcement officers and agents of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) engaged in border security and immigration enforcement to identify themselves and ban them from using homemade, non-tactical masks. He is also a cosponsor of the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act, which prevents immigration enforcement actions in schools, hospitals, courthouses, and social service agencies. Rep. Larson joined Democrats to call for the immediate reinstatement of programs the Trump Administration canceled that protected Afghan refugees, including residents like Zia who risked their lives to aid the United States in overseas missions.