Bard College Joins Speak-Out on Behalf of Ali Faqirzada’s ’28 Release from ICE Detainment
Malia DuMont ’95 delivers remarks at a community speak-out continuing to push for release of detained Afghan refugee and Bard College student Ali Faqirzada ’28.
In a speak-out on November 10 organized by Congressman Pat Ryan’s Office, Bard College Chief of Staff and Vice President for Strategy and Policy Malia DuMont ’95 joined Ryan and others in the continued public call for the release of Bard Baccalaureate student Ali Faqirzada ’28 from ICE detainment. The event highlighted personal testimony in support of Ali Faqirzada as a generous and beloved community member, US ally during the war in Afghanistan, and a model asylum seeker. Speaking as both a Bard administrator and a US military veteran of the Afghanistan conflict, DuMont shared how strongly both communities are in favor of releasing Ali Faqirzada. “I felt safe going to sleep every night in Kabul, where Afghan allies were guarding me, and now every night when I go to bed I think of Ali in ICE detention,” said DuMont.
Other speakers included: Congressman Pat Ryan, Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger, Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa, Rector of Christ the King Episcopal Church (Stoneridge) Rev. Marcella Gillis, Cochair of the Afghan Circle of the Hudson Valley Gary Jacobson, and Senior Director for Global Humanitarian Protection at Human Rights First Eleanor Acer.
Ali Faqirzada was detained by ICE on October 14, just after he had been found to have a viable claim for asylum. ICE has the authority to immediately release Ali to continue his immigration case while living at home with his family in New York. Bard College President Leon Botstein has mobilized bipartisan federal and state elected officials in New York and New Jersey to assist in this case.
Post Date: 11-10-2025
Other speakers included: Congressman Pat Ryan, Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger, Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa, Rector of Christ the King Episcopal Church (Stoneridge) Rev. Marcella Gillis, Cochair of the Afghan Circle of the Hudson Valley Gary Jacobson, and Senior Director for Global Humanitarian Protection at Human Rights First Eleanor Acer.
Ali Faqirzada was detained by ICE on October 14, just after he had been found to have a viable claim for asylum. ICE has the authority to immediately release Ali to continue his immigration case while living at home with his family in New York. Bard College President Leon Botstein has mobilized bipartisan federal and state elected officials in New York and New Jersey to assist in this case.
Post Date: 11-10-2025