Bahman Alizadeh Asfestani/Iran/Theft, Possession of a Controlled Substance

On June 22, ICE San Francisco arrested Bahman Alizadeh Asfestani, a 62-year-old citizen of Iran and illegal alien present in the United States. Asfestani has a documented criminal history that includes a 1994 conviction for petty theft and a 1995 conviction for possession of a controlled substance for sale. Following the 1995 conviction, he was sentenced to 10 years in California state prison.

Asfestani’s arrest came during targeted enforcement actions focused on foreign nationals with serious or repeated criminal histories. ICE officials identified Asfestani as a removable alien due to his convictions and prior legal status violations. He had not adjusted or maintained any lawful immigration status since his criminal activity and had remained in the country in defiance of immigration laws.

Court records show that Asfestani’s drug conviction stemmed from a significant quantity of narcotics discovered during a police investigation, which led to charges of possession with intent to distribute. The decade-long prison sentence he received underscored the severity of the offense under California law at the time. His earlier theft conviction also indicated a pattern of unlawful behavior.

At the time of his arrest, Asfestani did not possess valid legal documentation permitting his continued residence in the United States. He is now in ICE custody pending the outcome of removal proceedings before an immigration judge. His criminal background and prior incarceration make him a priority for immigration enforcement.