Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, Oct 7: Indian-origin filmmaker Arafat Sheikh has been detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after arriving at Dulles International Airport, according to an advocacy campaign seeking his release.
Sheikh, a resident of Alexandria, Virginia, was detained by ICE on September 24, the campaign Free Arafat Sheikh said.
According to the campaign, Sheikh is in the United States on a student visa to pursue film studies at Georgia State University and has a pending immigration application.
The campaign alleged that Sheikh was taken into custody shortly after stepping off his flight despite presenting his immigration documents to ICE agents.
ICE is responsible for enforcing federal immigration laws and can detain non-citizens over suspected immigration violations or while their immigration status or applications are under review.