Azharul Maksud the organising secretary of the New York State BNP was arrested by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials at his workplace in Buffalo on November 6.
Azharul Maksud lived in the United States with his family for several years and faces no criminal charges other than alleged immigration violations according to local party leaders. His family has engaged legal counsel to seek his release on parole with a formal bail application scheduled for Monday.
Expressing deep concern over the detention the New York State BNP Acting President Jashim Uddin urged Bangladeshi expatriates across the region to stay cautious also strictly follow legal advice and carry valid immigration documentation at all times.
The arrest comes amid a sharp spike in immigration crackdowns following the US midterm elections. According to media reports the ICE officers detained at least 230 people in the three days leading up to November 6.
Buffalo located nearly 400 miles from New York City become home to over 50,000 Bangladeshis in recent years. Community representatives noted that around a dozen Bangladeshis were among 515 undocumented immigrants arrested in the Buffalo area earlier this year.
Department of Homeland Security figures indicate that around 2,900 individuals have been detained in this district of New York State. Human rights groups emphasize that nearly 75 percent of those apprehended have no prior criminal record.
