HOUSTON — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained 18-year-old Alim Garipov at Houston’s Hobby Airport. ICE stated that Alim Garipov remained in the United States after his authorized stay expired.

Garipov is a student at Bellaire High School and is originally from Russia. He was traveling with family members to visit colleges at the time of his detention. ICE stated that Garipov was admitted to the United States in 2022 as a non-immigrant. The agency also stated that a pending asylum application does not confer legal immigration status.

At school, Garipov founded the Russian Culture Club. He is also a swimmer and team captain. His family has not publicly commented on his detention, though they stated they want time to pursue legal claims.

Immigration attorney Ruby Powers provided context on the legal framework surrounding such cases. She stated that a pending asylum application means an individual is waiting for a decision from immigration officials or an immigration judge. She stated that having a pending asylum case does not prevent someone from being detained.

"To have a person detained at an airport for no other reason other than asylum pending and being 18, we haven’t seen that happen," she said. She noted the unusual nature of the detention given the student's age and pending legal status.

She noted that detention does not necessarily end an asylum case. "It doesn’t actually mean that this is the end," she said. "It just means we’re at a different stage with a different jurisdiction."

She stated that Garipov may still have legal options moving forward. She stated that his detention should not prevent him from pursuing another asylum application in the future, depending on the circumstances of his case.

ICE stated that individuals detained by the agency continue to receive due process under federal law. U.S. Rep. Lizzie Fletcher said her office is working with Garipov’s family. Fletcher said her office remains in contact with federal agencies regarding the case.