Kashmir-born filmmaker Arfat Sheikh, 42, detained by the U.S.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), is likely to be set free soon, according to his family.
Sheikh won many awards after multiple screenings of his movie Saffron Kingdom in several parts of the United States and Europe. “The family is pursuing the case and cooperating with the authorities. Mr. Sheikh entered the U.S. legally on a student visa to pursue graduate studies in film at Georgia State University. At present, Mr. Sheikh lives in Alexandria, Virginia. His film earned him awards such as Best Feature Film at the Chicago Filmmakers Awards, LA Film and Documentary Awards, Melbourne Independent Film Festival, Wake Forest Film Festival, Anatolian International Film Awards etc.
We expect him to be free soon,” said a family member. “His work explores identity, resilience, and justice through deeply personal and politically resonant narratives,” said the advocacy group. It said Mr. “Sheikh has a pending immigration application and is here legally, authorised to live and work in the United States,” the advocacy group added.
