Please support Basir and his family!

Basir was picked up by ICE on Saturday afternoon (January 10) in the parking lot of Walmart in Shakopee. He is a 31 year old father of two (one child born in the US) who came here on a legal student visa from Afghanistan in 2019. He has valid work authorization through 2030 and a pending asylum case. Basir lives in Bloomington and works in a local hospital while he attends the University of Minnesota.

He was immediately transferred to a detention center in Texas, a tactic used to break people's spirits and make it more difficult for his attorney. Basir now faces separation from his family, legal fees, loss of wages, and the fight to avoid deportation. The situation is urgent and heartbreaking for his wife and children, who are struggling to cope with this sudden and unnecessary crisis.

We are raising funds to help cover the cost of his immigration lawyer, support Basir’s family with their expenses while he is detained and provide for travel costs to reunite him with his loved ones. Any funds not used for these purposes will be shared with other Afghani members of our community who are also targeted. Please support Basir and his family during this difficult time. Your help will make a real difference in their lives and in our community.

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Go Fund Me has requested I provide additional information. As the creator of this fund, I know Basir through his sister and brother in law (M and S.A. the beneficiaries of this fundraiser) who arrived in MN in 2017. His sister was on the phone with Basir at the time of his abduction. This was one way I could help (along with all of you) to help with the mounting costs of legal fees, travel home from Texas (fingers crossed) and monetary needs for his family while he loses the ability to work.

I’m keeping the family apprised of the funds raised and when needed, will either use this account to purchase something (plane ticket) or take out cash for needs.

If we happen to raise more funds than they need, the Afghan community here will use for others caught in similar situations. I will provide at minimum a final tally and use of funds.

I am so grateful for all the names I see I know - and the many I don’t (so don’t know if there’s a connection or just goodwill towards a fellow community member) and the many anonymous gifts. It brings some light to these dark days.