Kashmir-born ‘Saffron Kingdom’ director released in the U.S. after 14 days: family
According to a U.S.-based advocacy group, Sheikh Arfat’s bond was granted on the morning of October 6, but he was kept at the Caroline Detention Center in Bowling Green, Virginia
Kashmir-born filmmaker Sheikh Arfat, director of the movie "Saffron Kingdom," was released from U.S. detention after 14 days on October 8, 2026, according to his family. He was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on September 24, pending an immigration application. The filmmaker, 42, was initially granted bond on October 6, but was held at the Caroline Detention Centre in Bowling Green, Virginia, for an additional 48 hours.
The delay was attributed to issues with the bond payment portal. Arfat, the son of renowned Kashmiri singer Ghulam Nabi Sheikh, had been legally residing in the U.S. on a student visa to study film at Georgia State University. He faced a hearing on October 27. A friend who was with Arfat when he was detained described him as a dedicated advocate for truth and human rights, and noted his film's focus on identity, resilience, and justice.
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