On June 13, 2026, Azim Malik found his drive to a Saturday morning errand in Tonawanda, New York interrupted when cornered by multiple unmarked vehicles. Agents emerged from the cars and swarmed his vehicle, slamming on his unopened windows, pulling at his doors, and attempting to enter his vehicle in any way possible. Azim is certain he was not asked his name, his country of citizenship, nor any other questions during this ordeal. No attempt was made to identify him.
Azim is a deeply private person. To honor his wishes best possible, we will not be disclosing the nature of his underlying immigration case, any legal argument, or other personal details on the matter at this time.
However, we feel it’s important to share his story. Azim entered the United States legally as a student, and graduated from University at Buffalo with a Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering. At the time of his arrest, he had a pending case to remain in the United States permanently. He took great care to ensure the case was filed properly, in accordance with United States law, and that it was submitted before the expiry of his legal status. The case was originally filed in 2019.
Seven years is not an abnormal processing time. Azim is among millions of other law-abiding people simply waiting. They wait with the knowledge that like Azim, they could be taken into ICE custody in the blink of an eye. While Azim awaited action on his case, he found himself an indispensable member of a Buffalo based company, as a talented product manager at a highly specialized engineering and manufacturing company and a natural leader. Every review he received remarked on his outstanding job performance. He formed a new support system to rely on here in the United States, including friends who became chosen family, volunteered in varying capacities, and built his life here in Buffalo, a community he truly loves.
After his arrest on June 13th, Azim stated he was having difficulty breathing. They gave him water. EMS was not called and he did not receive medical attention. They continued to transport him. While in transit to Batavia Federal Detention Facility via car, Azim lost consciousness and became unresponsive. An ambulance was called to a location on route I-90 and he was transported to a local hospital. The location where the ambulance was requested is only known thanks to the promptly delivered bill, received by Azim’s roommate.
The exact details of Azim’s arrest are still unknown, as his memory was impaired by the medical event during the arrest. The government has failed to provide its written account of the arrest, medical records, or any other documentation and Azim is able to remember only portions of the event with certainty. Our story is pieced together from preexisting knowledge, physical injuries witnessed firsthand by Azim’s attorney and what Azim is sure he can accurately recount.
When Azim was released from the hospital, he was returned to Batavia Federal Detention Facility. He had bruising across his sternum and inner left rib cage, with no idea when or how this injury occurred. Azim requested follow up medical visits with the facility medical unit and was denied.
On June 26, 2026, Azim was told with only two hours' notice that he was about to be transferred. His questions, where and why, went unanswered by staff. His access to all facility communications was shut off, and he could not make phone calls. It was only thanks to a kind fellow inmate, that he was able to make an outbound call before he was sent to processing. Fortunate enough to catch notice Azim would be transferred that night, his attorney was able to visit Azim in Batavia one last time to finalize details of his bond motion.
From June 26 to June 29, we had no idea where Azim was, nor were we able to contact him. Finally, on June 29, we received news he was at Cibola County Correctional Center, a Corecivic owned private prison in New Mexico. Contact between Azim and his attorney has been near impossible since that point.
Azim’s bond motion is now fully complete and ready to be filed. His attorney, family, and other members of his support system have done everything possible to determine which court now has jurisdiction over his case. Countless calls have been made, voicemails left, and emails sent. None have been returned. Until we receive confirmation of the correct court, the bond motion can’t be filed.
Azim has always made sure to put others' needs ahead of his own, and now we ask for your support. With this GoFundMe, we aim to raise enough funds crucial to covering the costs of Azim’s release bond, legal representation, and the financial hardship his detention has created.
This bond would allow Azim to resume his life in Buffalo, return to his job, and continue to pursue his immigration case on its merits. If a bond is granted, it could range from $10,000 to $20,000, depending on the amount set by the judge, and funds need to be ready the moment it's granted.
Azim has not seen the outside world since the morning of June 13th.
Every contribution brings him one step closer to home.
If you are unable to donate, we encourage you to please show your support by sharing this link. We are deeply grateful for your support and generosity.
Additionally, we have set up a petition that will be used as evidence to aid Azim’s hearing. Your digital signature is all that is needed: https://c.org/rwyZWhRK7L