The case involves claims of improper detention linked to Wahidi's past and his brother-in-law's alleged actions, raising significant implications for U.S. immigration policy.
Former Taliban Ambassador Detained by U.S. Immigration Officials
Former Taliban Ambassador Detained by U.S. Immigration Officials
Mohammad Rahim Wahidi, a lawful permanent resident, faces detention at Dulles Airport due to national security concerns tied to his family.
April 1, 2025, 2:56 p.m. ET – Mohammad Rahim Wahidi, who previously served as the Taliban’s ambassador to Spain, was detained by U.S. immigration authorities upon his return to the United States on Saturday. His detention lasted over 30 hours at Washington Dulles International Airport, and a federal judge has not yet ordered his release as of Monday.
Wahidi, a lawful permanent resident, saw his situation escalate due to concerns of a potential national security threat as cited under the Immigration and Nationality Act. According to his attorney, Hassan Ahmad, Wahidi’s detention appears to be a misuse of the law, which allows the Secretary of State to deport noncitizens deemed to pose a national security risk. His spouse, Mary Shakeri-Wahidi, is a U.S. citizen, complicating the case.
Recent actions by the Trump administration have shown a trend toward the cancelation of visas for various individuals involved in protests, but Wahidi’s case is distinct. His legal status is undermined by the fact that his brother-in-law is allegedly implicated in a plot to assassinate an Iranian journalist, as detailed by the Justice Department last November.
Wahidi has faced scrutiny in the past, resulting in the loss of his official title in Spain over allegations of sexual assault during his tenure, although no formal charges were ever brought against him. After arriving in the United States on a Turkish Airlines flight, Wahidi was held for questioning, which included interactions with FBI officers, according to his counsel.
Judge Leonie Brinkema, presiding over the case in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, has intervened by blocking transfer to distant detention facilities commonly used for other detainees, ensuring adherence to short-term detention standards. However, she acknowledged the limitations of immediate relief in Wahidi's case, stating, "at this point the court cannot offer any relief."
Mr. Ahmad has also represented other individuals facing deportation after being involved in protests at educational institutions, suggesting a pattern of detainment linked to activist efforts. As the wheels of justice turn, the case’s next steps remain critical for Wahidi and the broader implications for U.S. immigration practices.
Wahidi, a lawful permanent resident, saw his situation escalate due to concerns of a potential national security threat as cited under the Immigration and Nationality Act. According to his attorney, Hassan Ahmad, Wahidi’s detention appears to be a misuse of the law, which allows the Secretary of State to deport noncitizens deemed to pose a national security risk. His spouse, Mary Shakeri-Wahidi, is a U.S. citizen, complicating the case.
Recent actions by the Trump administration have shown a trend toward the cancelation of visas for various individuals involved in protests, but Wahidi’s case is distinct. His legal status is undermined by the fact that his brother-in-law is allegedly implicated in a plot to assassinate an Iranian journalist, as detailed by the Justice Department last November.
Wahidi has faced scrutiny in the past, resulting in the loss of his official title in Spain over allegations of sexual assault during his tenure, although no formal charges were ever brought against him. After arriving in the United States on a Turkish Airlines flight, Wahidi was held for questioning, which included interactions with FBI officers, according to his counsel.
Judge Leonie Brinkema, presiding over the case in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, has intervened by blocking transfer to distant detention facilities commonly used for other detainees, ensuring adherence to short-term detention standards. However, she acknowledged the limitations of immediate relief in Wahidi's case, stating, "at this point the court cannot offer any relief."
Mr. Ahmad has also represented other individuals facing deportation after being involved in protests at educational institutions, suggesting a pattern of detainment linked to activist efforts. As the wheels of justice turn, the case’s next steps remain critical for Wahidi and the broader implications for U.S. immigration practices.
