Vardan Ghukasian Faces Deportation

The founder and president of the DOK party, Vardan Ghukasian, has been arrested by U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE) officials and is currently in detention in Las Vegas, Nevada, facing deportation. This was confirmed by Alathea Smoke, the communications director for the Northwest Region of the U.S. Customs and Immigration Service, in response to an inquiry from Armenpress.

According to ICE, the 47-year-old Ghukasian entered the United States on February 19, 2022 but did not leave the country within the timeframe stipulated by his entry conditions, leading to immigration proceedings against him. "Vardan Yuriki Ghukasian, a citizen of Armenia, is currently in the custody of ICE in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was arrested by ICE officials on February 20 and transferred to detention as part of immigration procedures. He entered the United States on February 19, 2022, but did not leave by the required deadline," said Smoke.

ICE’s response states that foreign nationals charged with violating immigration rules have access to various procedural guarantees, including the right to legal assistance, the ability to contest deportation charges, and the opportunity to present or review evidence. "Although the government does not provide legal counsel, detained individuals can access a list of legal services provided by the Department of Justice and programs offered by the American Bar Association. Immigration judges operating under the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) oversee the legal proceedings, ensuring due process. ICE officials, in turn, carry out deportation orders issued by federal immigration judges. Detention facilities provide at least five hours of access to legal libraries weekly, as well as daily meetings with attorneys according to a set schedule. Detainees can also utilize free video calls or make paid calls via specific platforms. U.S. legislation provides for both administrative and judicial resolutions for immigration violations, and in some cases, deportation proceedings," the response stated.

It’s worth noting that the trial concerning the case of DOK party president Vardan Ghukasian has been postponed by one week.