Judge Temporarily Halts Deportation of Detained Afghans

On November 3, 2026, Judge Valerie Caproni issued a temporary order blocking U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from deporting approximately 150 detained Afghan nationals. The planned deportations were set to send individuals to Afghanistan or Pakistan. This judicial intervention came as advocacy groups and legal representatives raised concerns about the welfare and legal standing of these individuals. The temporary order was set to expire on November 7, 2026, leaving the long-term status of these detainees uncertain.

Details of the Deportation Plan

Court documents revealed a plan for a flight departing from Louisiana to Pakistan on November 2, 2026. A senior agency official confirmed that at least one Afghan immigrant was expected to travel from Pakistan to Afghanistan. However, it remains unclear if this flight ever departed. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) stated that they do not discuss future removal operations due to security concerns for both personnel and operations.

Reports from advocacy groups and individuals highlighted specific cases. AfghanEvac president Shawn VanDiver mentioned that at least two individuals from the Sacramento area were expected on such a flight, with one person reportedly detained after being told to report for an immigration monitoring program. Separately, a representative from NorCal Resist reported the detention of an Afghan father in Sacramento on October 20, 2026, whose name was withheld for family privacy. The exact connection between these reported detentions and the broader deportation plan is not definitively established.

Legal and Advocacy Response

The court’s temporary order, while providing immediate relief, does not resolve the individual immigration cases of the detainees. The grounds for detention and the status of formal removal proceedings for many of these individuals remain unclear. While the government indicated that no chartered or commercial flights to Afghanistan or Pakistan were scheduled through the end of that week, the future plans for these detainees are not public.

Advocates and attorneys reported that over 80 detained Afghans had contacted them, expressing fear of deportation via Pakistan. These individuals included women, a police officer, members of religious minorities, and those with family members who served in the U.S. military. Nesar Ahamad, a former interpreter for American troops, shared his distress, stating, “It made me feel sick to my stomach. I’m frustrated because anyone on that flight could be me.”

Resources for Families and Detainees

Immigration attorney Spojmie Nasiri advised individuals facing immigration hearings or check-ins to seek counsel from a licensed immigration lawyer. She also recommended keeping copies of important documents with a trusted person and memorizing key contact numbers.

For constituents in Sacramento, Rep. Doris Matsui’s office can provide referrals to legal resources. Families with a detained relative are encouraged to call her office at (916) 498-5600. Aaron Jones, her senior field representative, stated that the office can direct callers to community groups when direct assistance is not possible.

NorCal Resist also offers a rapid-response line at 916-382-0256 for reporting suspected enforcement activities or seeking support following a detention. These resources aim to provide guidance and assistance to those affected by the uncertain immigration landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions