Cheshire student held by ICE to be released, senator says
A Cheshire high school student who was detained by ICE two weeks ago will be released from custody, according to Sen. Richard Blumenthal.
Rihan, 18, who was identified by his first name by his attorney, was apprehended by ICE agents and taken to a detention facility in Massachusetts.
He is from Afghanistan and legally entered the U.S. with his family in October 2024 and was granted humanistarian parole. That was approved due to direct threats to his family because his father, Zia, served as an interpreter for U.S. troops in Afghanistan.
Zia was detained by ICE last year and spent months in a detention center before a court ordered his release.
“I am overjoyed that justice has been done for Rihan and his family in his release from ICE’s unlawful, abusive detention,” Blumenthal said in a statement. “Neither he nor his father, Zia, should ever have been seized and incarcerated. They are in America lawfully. In fact, they are here because they put their lives on the line in Afghanistan to help protect our troops.”
It is not clear when Rihan will be released and be able to return to Cheshire.
From breaking news and local politics to art exhibitions, live music, high school sports, small businesses, and cultural events, we celebrate the people and places that make Connecticut unique.