U.S. Vet Muhammad Zahid Chaudhry Released After Four Months Of Unlawful Detention In Immigration Prison

After four months of unjust detention, U.S. Veteran and community activist Muhammad Zahid Chaudhry has been released from the ICE detention center in Tacoma, marking a huge victory for his family, the greater Seattle community, and the rule of law. 

“My family will be whole again,” his wife, anti-war congressional candidate Melissa Chaudhry, said in a statement. “My children will have their Baba home. And our communities will be richer and stronger by his presence - and more confident, and more courageous, because of this win. Today is proof that the rule of law still matters and that justice can prevail. When we fight, we win.”

As The Burner reported in August, ICE detained Chaudhry, a decorated veteran and longtime US resident at his naturalization hearing, what his wife called at the time the “worst case scenario.” 

It seemed clear to Chaudhry’s supporters that he was unlawfully detained. A press statement from this summer argued Chaudhry is “eligible for citizenship by marriage and fatherhood, as well as long-term peaceful residence, but he claims his right by military service. He has already sworn an oath to protect and defend this country, and broken his body in service to that oath. Veterans are eligible for immediate, expedited naturalization, and Zahid deserves no less."

With pressure mounting to get Chaudhry out of detention to treat his deteriorating eyesight, the stakes were high for his habeas hearing. Ultimately, the U.S. District Court Judge David G Estudillo ordered his immediate release, allowing him to return home to his family while his ongoing immigration case proceeds.

Not only that, Chaudhry got a much deserved apology for his unlawful detention and denied release under what court documents called in bold and italics “a clearly erroneous basis.” 

But the fight is not over. Chaudhry’s family expects the panel of appeals court judges to convene and review her husband’s case next month. At which point, he could be naturalized or deported. Either way, his family is glad to have him home when they receive the news.