**This is meant to be a location for information and links to directly support and assist Zahid and Melissa Chaudhry and their children. Many kind folks have asked how they can help, to show up as their community. Through conversations with Melissa, the links and updates on this page give direct access to the multiple ways that we can stand by them and see them through this chaotic time. We will be posting any future protest updates here as well.** From The GoFundMe Page: “Muhammad Zahid Chaudhry, or “Zahid” to those who know him, is an honorable, decorated, disabled American veteran in a wheelchair due to injuries sustained in service to our country. He has a natural-born American wife and two American citizen children, ages 2 years and 8 months. He served in both the US Army and the National Guard, and also served as a volunteer firefighter and paramedic in Yakima, WA. Zahid joined the US Army prior to 9/11, out of genuine patriotism and a desire to serve the nation he loved. He was described by his officers as an “exemplary soldier” with “leadership potential.” After 9/11, he was activated for Operation Iraqi Freedom and sustained severe injuries while deployed. He was honorably discharged and became a disabled veteran. Since becoming disabled, he’s devoted himself to benefitting the community every way he can. He’s served on dozens of boards supporting local nonprofits; he’s sought-after by major foundations for his input on how to best award grants to serve diverse communities; he’s given sermons in Christian, Quaker, Muslim, and Unitarian Universalist congregations; and he’s founded multiple nonprofits including Veterans Suicide Prevention, Sustainability Conservancy, and People of Color Community Coalition. He’s a brother Mason, and has served as a father/mentor figure to American youth in the DeMolay program for character development and leadership. He has renovated blighted homes, repaired people’s vehicles for free, and arranged to prevent eviction of struggling families. He is a renowned advocate for peace and serves as President of the Veterans for Peace, South Sound Chapter (Rachel Corrie Chapter). Zahid has been fighting for his right to live in the country he served, for decades. Even though his military service should have qualified for expedited naturalization. He has fought against discrimination, crooked officials, and falsehoods that stood as roadblocks between him and the citizenship he was promised. He did not enter the US illegally. He is an honorable and upstanding resident in every way, who by statutory (legal, inarguable) right, should have been naturalized as an American citizen all the way back in 2004. He has cooperated with all requirements and requests from immigration officials. This cooperation led to his abduction and incarceration by ICE. On August 21, 2025, Zahid was taken into Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody after attending a naturalization meeting at the Tukwila, Washington DHS building. He is being wrongfully held in solitary confinement at the ICE detention center in Tacoma, WA. Funds donated to his GoFundMe are meant to ensure Zahid can receive strong legal defense. Our goal is to reunite with his family and keep their family whole. While Zahid continues to be detained his family needs extra support to get through this challenging time. Funds gathered outside of the official GoFundMe will go to caring for their household unless otherwise noted.