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[SITUATION] · [QUIET] · [INTERNATIONAL]

2 clusters · 14 sources · 3 days · First seen · Last updated

Detention and release of filmmaker Arfat Sheikh

Overview

Kashmiri filmmaker Arfat Sheikh was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials on September 24 at Washington Dulles International Airport. Sheikh, who arrived in the U.S. in 2019 and filed for asylum in 2020, was held at the Caroline Detention Facility in Virginia.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that Sheikh “legally entered the US on a temporary basis and illegally overstayed his lawful admittance,” noting that a pending application does not confer legal residency status. Supporters and the ‘Free Arfat Sheikh’ campaign argued the detention was unlawful due to his pending immigration application and work authorization.

Sheikh has since been released from ICE detention on bond. While he is no longer detained, his deportation proceedings are ongoing, with a hearing scheduled for October 27.

Entities

Department of Homeland Security · U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement · Arfat Sheikh · Washington Dulles International Airport · Caroline Detention Facility

Timeline

  1. [INTERNATIONAL] 2 sources
    Kashmiri filmmaker Arfat Sheikh released from ICE detention

    Award-winning Kashmiri filmmaker Arfat Sheikh has been released from ICE detention on bond, though his deportation proceedings in the United States continue.

  2. [INTERNATIONAL] 12 sources
    Arfat Sheikh, award-winning filmmaker, detained by U.S. immigration

    Kashmiri filmmaker Arfat Sheikh has been detained by U.S. immigration officials at Dulles International Airport for allegedly overstaying his visa, despite having a pending asylum application.

Sources

aljazeera.com · arabnews.pk · clovermedia.jp · devdiscourse.com · digitalchew.com · dominicanrepublicpost.com · haitigazette.com · jamaicainquirer.com · newsbytesapp.com · scroll.in · srnnews.com · stvincenttribune.com · thefrontierpost.com · tob.news