A family of refugees from Afghanistan detained by immigration officials at Los Angeles International Airport last week even though they held valid visas will be released, their attorney said Monday.
The mother, father and their three young sons, including a baby, arrived at Los Angeles International Airport on Thursday for a connecting flight to Washington state, where they planned to resettle. Despite being granted Special Immigrant Visas in return for work the father performed for the U.S. government in Afghanistan that put the family's lives at risk, they were detained by U.S. immigration officials.
Over the weekend, a federal judge issued a temporary order blocking federal authorities from removing the family from California and calling for a hearing Monday afternoon on their case.
Talia Inlender, senior staff attorney for Public Counsel, said immigration authorities agreed to release the family from custody Monday. The family will be allowed to remain in the country subject to an immigration review at a later time, said Inlender, one of a team of lawyers representing the family.
Messages seeking comment were left for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Justice.
The family's names have not been released.
