August 23, 2025

Statement in Support of Zahid Chaudhry

We are outraged and deeply saddened by the unjust detention of Zahid Chaudhry, a disabled U.S. military veteran, community leader, and loving husband, who has lived in this country for 25 years. Zahid came to the United States legally, wore the uniform of our military, and made enormous sacrifices in service to this nation. He sustained disabling injuries during military training in 2003, was medically discharged in 2005, and has since continued to serve his community as a dedicated member of Veterans for Peace.

It is unconscionable that someone who has risked his life for this country, who is married to a U.S. citizen, and who has built his entire life here, should face the threat of deportation. Detaining Zahid during a citizenship interview at the USCIS office in Tukwila, Washington, is a cruel betrayal of the values of justice, compassion, and respect for veterans.

This act is not only an attack on Zahid – it is an attack on every immigrant who has served, every family that has sacrificed, and every community that believes in fairness and dignity. We condemn this injustice in the strongest possible terms.

We stand in full solidarity with Zahid and his family. We demand his immediate release from ICE detention and an end to the deportation proceedings against him. Zahid belongs here, with his wife, his community, and the country he has already given so much to.

We will not be silent while our government treats veterans and immigrants with such cruelty. We call on all people of conscience to speak out, organize, and demand justice for Zahid Chaudhry.

Justice for Zahid. Stop the deportations. Honor our veterans.

Featured image credit to The Burner: https://www.theburnerseattle.com/post/ice-detains-disabled-veteran-father-of-two-u-s-citizens-husband-to-pro-palestine-political-candid