LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — The destiny of an Armenian political dissident’s life is earlier than a federal immigration decide.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has held Vardan Gukasian, 47, for the final six months at its Henderson Detention Heart.
“They know that his life is in danger if he were returned to Armenia; That’s why he came here and sought asylum in the first place,” Zachary Nightingale of Van Der LLP stated. “He was a very public figure in the Armenian political community.”
Nightingale and Hardeep Sull of Sull and Associates are among the many legal professionals serving to Gukasian navigate the federal immigration system and representing him in court docket.
“The thing about asylum law in particular is by law they’re confidential. These are folks who fear being harmed,” Nightingale stated.
Nightingale describes Gukasian’s case as very uncommon. For one, the dissident may be very well-known amongst Armenians, and second, being detained has damage his possibilities of being granted asylum.
“The fact that he has been required to be detained has really made this case much more difficult to defend. And as a result, we’ve had several court hearings,” Nightingale stated.
Gukasian’s supporters have proven as much as all his hearings, and plenty of are anxious in regards to the consequence of his case.
“If he’s deported to Armenia or another country, they’re going to kill him. Yes, they’re going to kill him,” Gayane Manukyan beforehand informed 8 Information Now.
Gukasian initially got here to the US underneath political asylum.
ICE supplied a press release to eight Information Now on the arrest.
“Gukasian was arrested by ICE officers Feb. 20 and placed into custody for his immigration proceedings. He entered the United States Feb. 19, 2022, and failed to depart under the terms of his admission,” an ICE spokesperson stated.
In line with a 2023 Armenian article, a world warrant was issued for Gukasian’s arrest after he was charged with extortion, requires violence and contempt of court docket. The Armenian authorities requested the US to extradite him.
“He’s really glad to get his day in court. He’s not thrilled to be detained while it’s happening. That’s unfortunate, we’re dealing with that,” Nightingale stated.
Gukasian has had a number of immigration hearings, however his attorneys stated Friday’s might have been the ultimate one. They do not anticipate a solution on whether or not he is granted asylum for a few days.
Supporters of the Armenian dissident have appealed to President Donald Trump to intercede, however they have not had any luck.
