AUSTIN (KXAN) Seyre ‘Mussa’ Traore, a dog handler from Austin, was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) during a routine check-in last week, as per his lawyer.

Traore’s friends commend him as a committed worker at Neighbors Dog Park & Coffee Shop and East Lamar Dog Training and Boarding, noting he is exceptionally hardworking.

“It really shook me to even to learn that this was happening,” Lamar Bowman, a Neighbors Dog Park & Coffee Shop employee said.

The 30-year-old is originally from Mauritania in West Africa. His lawyer Janis Leacock mentioned that he was detained on Sept. 11. She informed KXAN, the affiliate, that he has an unblemished criminal record and held a work permit while waiting for his court date next year.

“Things are really bad right now,” Leacock said. “He was just doing what he’s supposed to do…you truly don’t know everyone’s story.”

Leacock explained that Traore entered the U.S. illegally but possessed legal documentation to remain as an asylum seeker. His court appearance for the asylum case is scheduled for next April.

KXAN checked Travis County, as well as the Texas Department of Public Safety records, and did not find any criminal history for Traore.

According to ICE’s online database, Traore is being held in the Karnes County Immigration Processing Center.

As immigration policies shift under the Trump Administration, Leacock expressed concern that Traore might face deportation before his asylum case is heard by a judge next year.

“What the federal government is stating is, ‘Hey, anyone present for under two years can face expedited removal regardless of their pending court date or their adherence to proper procedures.'”

Traore’s supporters have started a campaign, pushing for answers.

KXAN has reached out to ICE and the Department of Homeland Security and is waiting to hear back. We will update this if any statements are received.