NEW PALTZ- It was one month ago today that Afghan asylum seeker Ali Faqirzada, a 31-year-old, Bard College student, was detained by ICE officials and placed in a New Jersey detention Center.

On Thursday evening, in the bitter cold, over 150 people marked the occasion by gathering for a candlelight vigil at Peace Park in New Paltz.

They were demanding the release of Faqirzada, who was arrested after a scheduled asylum hearing last month.

Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger, who has written to ICE officials, requesting his return, says she has received no update and no word of a future court date.

“It’s important to keep this issue visible and keep the pressure on in the hope that the detention officials will release him and allow him to go home,” said Metzger. “He poses no threat. H

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