Former Afghan Security Forces Officer Sues US Government After Immigration Detention

GRAND FORKS, North Dakota — Mohammad Hossein Ahmadi, a former Afghan security forces officer from the Hazara community, has sued the US government seeking his release following detention during an immigration hearing.

Ahmadi fled Afghanistan after the fall of Kabul to the Taliban, traveling via Iraq, Brazil and Central America to reach the United States. In May 2024, he received conditional asylum permission after a credible fear determination and was allowed to live with the Bruns family in West Fargo, North Dakota.

For 22 months, Ahmadi lived freely in the community, complied with all applicable laws and regularly attended required immigration hearings. On March 2, 2026, he was detained without prior notice while attending a hearing in Grand Forks.

Ahmadi's lawyers argue in the lawsuit that the detention is inappropriate given his record of compliance and that any deportation would place his life in danger due to risks of persecution as a Hazara and former security forces officer. Supporters have echoed these claims, calling the detention unjust.

The case is under review by Chief Judge Peter Wolth in the US District Court. Ahmadi remains held at the Grand Forks City Reform and Rehabilitation Center.