SANTA FE, N.M. — A federal judge has ordered the release of Hamid Ziaei, an Iranian bodybuilder and migrant, who had been held by U.S. immigration authorities for over five months without any progress on his deportation. Ziaei had been detained at a facility in New Mexico, where he raised concerns about his mental and physical health during his prolonged confinement.
The ruling comes after Ziaei's attorneys argued that his detention violated due process protections, as it is unclear when or if he would be removed from the U.S. Ziaei's case reflects a broader issue regarding the treatment of immigrants in detention and the fears many face of being sent back to their home countries.
Ziaei fled Iran after speaking out against the government and arrived in the U.S. in January 2024. Although he initially received a provisional release based on concerns he would face persecution if returned to Iran, this status was reversed during a check-in appointment with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Detainees in similar situations to Ziaei frequently file habeas corpus petitions, advocating for their release and challenging the legality of their prolonged detention. Ziaei's attorneys maintain that the government has provided no evidence to support that his removal is imminent.
As Ziaei prepares for his release, he expressed anxiety over the significant impact his detention has had on his health and future as an athlete, stating that his weight loss and muscle loss could hinder his ability to earn a livelihood in the fitness industry.
