Iowa Attorney Seeks ICE Officer Testimony in Asylum Seeker Case

Lawyer argues ICE has contradictory explanations for detaining immigrant without warrant

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Attorneys for an ICE detainee held in the Polk County Jail are seeking a court hearing at which an ICE deportation officer can be questioned under oath about claims the agency is making regarding the detention of Suraj Vasal, an Indian asylum seeker. The case involves allegations that ICE arrested Vasal without a warrant during a traffic stop.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing legal battles between immigration advocates and the government over the detention of immigrants, particularly those seeking asylum, and whether ICE has the authority to detain individuals without a warrant based on minor offenses. It also raises questions about the government's justifications for detaining immigrants.

The details

Vasal, who came to the U.S. from India seeking asylum in 2022, was pulled over by an Iowa state trooper in February 2026 for failing to stop at a weigh station. The trooper then contacted ICE, which took Vasal into custody. Vasal's attorney, Alexander Smith, has sued ICE, the Department of Homeland Security, and local officials, alleging ICE arrested Vasal without a warrant. The government claims it had a valid warrant to detain Vasal based on the weigh station violation, but Smith argues the government is putting forth contradictory explanations for the detention.

  • On February 11, 2026, Vasal was pulled over by an Iowa state trooper for failing to stop at a weigh station.
  • On February 24, 2026, a bond hearing was expected to be held in the case of Jose Brito Raymundo, a Guatemalan immigrant detained by ICE in the Muscatine County Jail.
  • By March 6, 2026, the Department of Justice must provide an explanation to a district court judge on why Iskender Almazov, a Russian asylum seeker, is being unlawfully detained by ICE in the Polk County Jail.

The players

Suraj Vasal

An Indian asylum seeker who was detained by ICE after being pulled over by an Iowa state trooper for failing to stop at a weigh station.

Alexander Smith

The attorney representing Vasal in his lawsuit against ICE, the Department of Homeland Security, and local officials.

Blake W. DeVary

An ICE deportation officer based in Des Moines who filed court documents claiming ICE had a valid warrant to detain Vasal.

Jose Brito Raymundo

A 24-year-old Guatemalan immigrant who was detained by ICE in the Muscatine County Jail after being arrested on a drunken-driving charge.

Iskender Almazov

A 37-year-old Russian immigrant who was seeking asylum in the U.S. and was recently detained by ICE in the Polk County Jail.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The government 'only gets to detain people who are a danger or a flight risk.' DeVary's claim that ICE determined Vasal was a danger to the public due to the weigh-station violation 'is not believable.'”

— Alexander Smith, Vasal's attorney (Iowa Capital Dispatch)

“The government 'needs to pick a lane' and choose one of those two explanations for its conduct.”

— Alexander Smith, Vasal's attorney (Iowa Capital Dispatch)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide whether to allow an ICE deportation officer to be questioned under oath about the agency's claims regarding Vasal's detention.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing legal battles over the government's authority to detain immigrants, particularly those seeking asylum, and the need for clear and consistent justifications for such detentions. It also underscores the broader challenges facing the immigration system and the rights of non-citizens in the U.S.