CT teen’s family thanks community after release from ICE detention facility
Rihan, an 18-year-old Cheshire High School student, was released from custody on Tuesday. But he could still be deported.
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Three days after a Cheshire teenager was released from Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody, his uncle thanked the community.
But 18-year-old Rihan’s freedom may be temporary. He still faces possible deportation – despite being in the U.S. legally when agents arrested him.
“VERY GRATEFUL”
Rihan’s uncle Tariq said few words at a news conference organized by immigration advocates. But he wanted to thank those who convinced a judge to release his nephew from an ICE detention center.
“I’m very grateful for support of Sen. [Richard] Blumenthal, Gov. [Ned] Lamont, Attorney General [William] Tong and other Cheshire delegations and the Cheshire community,” Tariq told reporters. “Teachers, advocates, his attorney and her team. Thank you all very much.”
Tariq was there on April 6 when agents arrested the Cheshire High senior, whose last name is being withheld to protect his family, based on erroneous immigration paperwork. Rihan’s humanitarian status was valid until October, but online records listed the wrong expiration date, a federal judge concluded.
Rihan’s paperwork was corrected within a day, but the Department of Homeland Security revoked his immigration status anyway.
“They say it was a mistake. I say it was no mistake,” said state Rep. Liz Linehan (D-Cheshire). “It was purposeful because they are on the hunt.”
FATHER DETAINED LAST YEAR
This isn’t the family’s first encounter with immigration authorities.
Rihan’s father, Zia, was held in ICE detention for three months last year – despite risking his life as an interpreter for the U.S. Army in Afghanistan. In 2024, Zia’s family was granted humanitarian parole, a temporary immigration status for “urgent humanitarian reasons.”
Rihan said agents were looking for his father on April 6, according to court records.
“Rihan and his family continue to have a target on their backs,” said Blumenthal.
DHS has not answered repeated questions about why Rihan’s immigration status was revoked. Instead, the agency said the Biden administration never properly vetted humanitarian refugees from Afghanistan.
“Biden-era parole programs let in 190,000 Afghan nationals with a vetting process that was demonstrably inadequate," a spokesperson said. “No overseas criminal background checks were performed, social media accounts were not screened, and there was no systematic cross-referencing of information. In many cases, entry was granted on the basis of a single recommendation.”
LEGAL BATTLE
Rihan returned to classes at Cheshire High School on Thursday. He is still on track to graduate in June while his legal team attempts to get his immigration status reinstated.
“We’re working through the immigration courts to try to get his proceedings terminated, but we also may be working through the federal courts. We have more than one strategy,” said attorney Lauren Petersen. “If someone is arrested ostensibly because they don’t have lawful status, then after you arrest them, you revoke their status, that presents a logical conundrum for the immigration judge.”
Rihan and his family also have active asylum and “green card” applications.
For now, the 18-year-old just hopes to graduate with his classmates in a few weeks.
“It is my most sincere hope that Rihan and his family, who have already sacrificed so much to the benefit of our American troops, will be able to live peacefully in Cheshire and continue to learn and contribute to our community,” said Susan Chasen, the teen’s former chemistry teacher.
Rihan’s next immigration hearing is on May 4th. He also has an ongoing lawsuit against DHS in Massachusetts Federal Court, where he was detained.
