By Turkistan Times Staff
January 30, 2026
NEW YORK — For many in the Uyghur diaspora, the United States has long represented a sanctuary from arbitrary detention and state-sponsored hardship. However, the recent case of Isma’il, a Uyghur father of five held by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for over two months, has sent a wave of concern through our community. The situation highlights a growing frustration: even those who follow the law and seek a path to legal residency can find themselves trapped in a cycle of procedural delays.
Isma’il has lived in the U.S. for over a decade, building a life as a long-haul truck driver. He is a legal immigrant with a pending green card application, yet he currently sits in a detention center. The crisis began when his work authorization expired while his residency case was still being processed—a common occurrence in a backlogged system—preventing him from renewing his commercial driver’s license. Despite his efforts to remain law-abiding, he was taken into custody.
In a recent court hearing, authorities confirmed that Isma’il has no criminal record and is eligible for release. However, the Uyghur Islamic Center, which has been closely monitoring the case, warns that "procedural backlogs" mean he could remain separated from his family for several more months.
The consequences for his household are immediate and severe. Of Isma’il’s five children, four are U.S. citizens. With the primary breadwinner detained, his wife has been left to manage rent, utilities, car payments, and legal fees alone. While local relatives have offered support, the financial weight of a five-child household is more than a single income—or a lack thereof—can sustain.
"Uyghur families in the United States are facing significant economic and emotional hardships," the Uyghur Islamic Center stated. "This family has been law-abiding and hardworking, yet Isma’il’s detention has placed them in severe financial distress."
The community has responded by launching a GoFundMe campaign to prevent the family from losing their home. For the Uyghur diaspora, this is not just a story of immigration; it is a story of a family that did everything right, yet remains caught in the gears of a slow-moving bureaucracy. As we watch this case unfold, the hope remains that the legal system will move as swiftly as the hardships have.
