Afghan family held for days in Los Angeles to be released

Lawyers say the father obtained special immigrant visas for his family after working for the US Government in Afghanistan. Photo / AP

A lawyer for an Afghan family of five who travelled to the United States on special visas and was detained in Los Angeles says immigration officials have agreed to release them.

Talia Inlender, a senior staff lawyer at Public Counsel, says the government agreed to release the family today.

Messages seeking comment were left for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Justice.

The family was detained after arriving at Los Angeles International Airport on Friday on their way to resettle in Washington state.

Lawyers say the father obtained special immigrant visas for his family after working for the US Government in Afghanistan.

A federal judge ordered a court hearing today on the family's case after this weekend blocking government officials from removing the family from California.