Lal Mohammad Noorwali, an Afghan man whose family fled Taliban threats after supporting U.S. troops, is currently detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Texas and faces deportation back to Afghanistan. His case highlights the precarious situation of Afghan allies evacuated during the U.S. withdrawal, now caught in shifting immigration policies under the Trump administration.
The ordeal began on December 2, 2025, when Lal, a 28-year-old truck driver, was stopped at a Customs and Border Protection checkpoint in Laredo, Texas. Agents questioned his immigration status after he admitted he was not a U.S. citizen. Lal, who arrived in the U.S. legally in September 2021 as part of Operation Allies Refuge, has a pending asylum application. His brother, Said Noor, a U.S. Army veteran, attempted to intervene by phone, explaining Lal’s background and legal status, but communication was cut off, and Lal was transferred to ICE custody at the Webb County Detention Facility.
Lal’s family faced severe threats in Afghanistan due to Said’s work as a civilian interpreter and later as a U.S. soldier. In 2020, a Taliban-claimed motorcycle bomb detonated outside their home in Khost Province, killing six people and injuring more than a dozen, with Lal surviving after being thrown from the roof. This attack underscored the direct retaliation the family faced for aiding American forces, leading to their evacuation amid the chaotic U.S. withdrawal in August 2021.
Initially, Afghan refugees like Lal received bipartisan support, but the climate shifted after a November 2025 shooting in Washington, D.C., where an Afghan refugee killed two National Guard members. In response, the Trump administration announced an indefinite halt to processing immigration cases for Afghans, with DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin labeling Lal a “criminal illegal alien” based on prior arrests, though court records show a charge of criminal mischief was dismissed in 2023 with no conviction.
Lal’s legal status is complicated by an expired work authorization, though he had applied for renewal and holds a valid Texas commercial driver’s license until 2034. His asylum case, filed in 2022, remains pending, and a final court hearing initially set for February 12, 2026, was delayed as his lawyers seek an out-of-court resolution. Without an agreement, a deportation decision is expected on March 10, 2026, which could send him back to Afghanistan, where the Taliban continues to target former U.S. collaborators.
The broader context involves Operation Allies Refuge, which evacuated over 124,000 people, the largest non-combatant evacuation in U.S. history. However, recent policies have ramped up detentions and restrictions for Afghan immigrants. DHS has initiated a reexamination of green cards from countries including Afghanistan, and Congress has not authorized additional special immigrant visas for Afghans, reflecting waning political support.
Lal’s case illustrates the human cost of these policy shifts. Said Noor expressed despair, noting that he risked his life for the U.S. and never imagined begging to keep his brother safe in America. The family’s story echoes the struggles of thousands of Afghans who aided U.S. efforts, now navigating an uncertain future amid tightened immigration enforcement.
Looking ahead, the outcome of Lal’s case could set a precedent for other Afghan refugees. Legal experts report increased aggression toward Afghans in immigration proceedings, and without legislative changes, many face the risk of deportation to a country where their lives are in danger. The situation calls attention to ongoing debates over U.S. obligations to its allies and the balance between security concerns and humanitarian protections.
