Farhan Ahmed, a Pakistani national and lawful permanent resident, was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in New York City on May 1 following his release from prison after serving 21 years for a homicide conviction in Queens. Ahmed, who entered the U.S. legally in 2001 and obtained a green card in 2004, was convicted of first-degree manslaughter with intent to cause serious physical injury in a 2005 attack involving a weapon.

According to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials, Ahmed was taken into custody without incident and is being held pending immigration proceedings. His arrest was included in a recent enforcement roundup targeting foreign nationals with criminal convictions, which DHS described as part of ICE’s 'worst of the worst' initiative. Among those also apprehended were individuals from Mexico, Laos, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic, each with prior convictions for crimes including manslaughter, sexual assault, and drug trafficking.

Acting Assistant DHS Secretary Lauren Bis stated that ICE continues to enforce immigration laws aggressively, crediting the agency’s efforts under the current administration. She confirmed that Ahmed and others arrested were removed from communities following convictions for serious offenses. ICE has intensified public reporting of such arrests amid broader enforcement policies prioritizing the deportation of non-citizens with criminal records.

DHS said immigration proceedings against Ahmed are ongoing, and ICE will determine his removal status in accordance with federal law. The agency is expected to continue similar enforcement actions as part of its criminal alien removal program, with the next batch of cases to be reviewed in the coming weeks.