(WASHINGTON STATE, UNITED STATES) A string of 2025 cases has put fresh attention on when a green card holder can be swept into ICE detention around a wedding. In Washington state, a bride-to-be was arrested four days before her ceremony during a workplace raid. In California, a Korean-born scientist with a valid green card was held after flying back from his brother’s wedding abroad. A Brazilian woman expecting a green card interview instead found herself detained. And a newlywed returning from a honeymoon was locked up for months and ordered removed.
Attorneys and advocates say these events show how past immigration violations or old criminal records can trigger custody at airports, interviews, or even workplaces—moments when families expect celebration, not handcuffs.
Notable case examples
- In Washington state, a woman who overstayed a tourist visa in 2010 was arrested four days before her planned large wedding. She ultimately exchanged vows inside a detention center. Her U.S. citizen spouse is pursuing family-based relief. Lawyers stress that marriage-based pathways can still offer protection, but they require fast, careful legal steps.
In San Francisco, a green card holder returning from a wedding in South Korea was detained by CBP/ICE at the airport in July 2025. His case reportedly traces back to a minor 2011 marijuana possession conviction. Even with long-term residency and a valid card, he was held without a lawyer and placed in removal proceedings. Advocates note that lawful permanent residents can be stopped at re-entry if the government believes a criminal record makes them deportable.
A Brazilian woman, married in April 2025, went to what she believed was a routine interview and was taken into custody. Her attorney said a prior removal order, tied to a missed court hearing caused by an outdated address, was the reason.
Another newlywed’s return from a honeymoon reportedly ended in months of ICE detention and a deportation order, despite prior assurances that travel was allowed.
These stories highlight how detention conditions can be harsh and isolating, and how enforcement often strikes at the most vulnerable moments for families.
Why weddings and travel can trigger arrests
Immigration lawyers point to three common threads:
- Old removal orders — These can resurface during airport checks, USCIS interviews, or workplace raids.
- Criminal convictions — Even minor or old convictions can make a green card holder subject to removal.
- Overstays and missed hearings — Even if caused by address mistakes, missed hearings often lead to custody when someone appears on a government list.
In practice, ICE and CBP often act at predictable touchpoints:
– Airport secondary screening
– USCIS interviews
– Worksite enforcement actions
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, routine life events—weddings, honeymoons, and family trips—are increasingly intersecting with strict screening and old case files that suddenly carry new weight. Attorneys warn that detention shortly before or after a wedding is legally possible if any prior issue is unresolved.
Detention can happen at the least expected time—even around a wedding—if prior problems remain on the books.
Immediate steps families can take
If a loved one is taken into ICE detention around a wedding, lawyers recommend these immediate, concrete actions:
- Contact an experienced removal defense lawyer at once.
- Ask about a bond hearing to seek release while the case is reviewed.
- If a prior removal order exists, explore a motion to reopen.
- Motions to reopen can be based on changed facts, errors, or new family ties.
- In marriage cases, ensure petitions and adjustment filings are complete and ready.
When appropriate, couples often file:
- Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative — to prove a real marriage to a U.S. citizen or permanent resident (USCIS I-130)
- Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status — when eligible to seek a green card in the 🇺🇸 (USCIS I-485)
- Form I-131, Application for Travel Document — for advance parole when travel is planned during a pending case (USCIS I-131)
Lawyers also assess waivers and related filings that may apply, such as relief for unlawful presence or options tied to earlier removal orders. Each case depends on specific facts: how and when a person entered, any criminal record, and past court history. Families should avoid guessing and instead bring every document to counsel, including prior orders, charging papers, and any USCIS notices.
Practical tips for the early hours and days of detention
- Press for phone calls and immediate access to counsel where possible.
- Request a list of free or low-cost legal providers from the detention facility.
- Keep records of every interaction with officials (names, badge numbers, times).
- Gather and provide all relevant documents quickly: prior orders, criminal records, and USCIS filings.
Advocates emphasize that access to counsel is often limited in detention, especially during the first hours and days, and that families should act fast.
How government screening and databases play a role
The agency’s authority to detain at ports of entry is broad, and even permanent residents are inspected each time they re-enter. Government databases can flag old records, leading to secondary inspection and custody.
- For green card holders with prior convictions, the central question is whether the offense fits removal grounds. Even minor drug cases from years ago can raise issues.
- For those with past overstays or no-shows in court, an outstanding removal order is often decisive unless a judge reopens the case.
USCIS provides guidance on the rules for LPRs, including duties and the effect of criminal conduct. For reference, see rights and responsibilities for permanent residents (USCIS guidance).
Human and community impacts
The human toll is stark: a wedding pulled into a detention center turns a milestone into a memory of metal doors and short visits. Children and parents miss key moments, and jobs and leases can hang in the balance.
Community groups have stepped in with:
– Bond funds
– Court support
– Family assistance (childcare, transportation, accompaniment)
But many couples still face months of uncertainty while awaiting hearings.
Cautions about common assumptions
Lawyers caution against false hope and common misunderstandings:
- A pending Form I-130 or Form I-485 does not block ICE from acting on a valid removal order.
- Advance parole on Form I-131 is not a guarantee of re-entry if a database shows a problem.
- Advice given by front-line officers may be helpful, but it does not replace an immigration judge’s order.
Treat every interview, airport return, and worksite contact with care until a lawyer confirms the path is clear.
What employers, faith leaders, and wedding planners can do
- Employers: keep emergency contacts on file and share a vetted list of local legal aid groups. HR teams often serve as first contacts when staff are detained.
- Faith leaders and wedding planners: have contingency plans for disrupted events—childcare, transportation, and court accompaniment can soften the blow.
Bottom line
These 2025 cases, reported by news outlets and immigration legal advocates, show a clear pattern: when a green card holder has a past problem on the books, ICE detention can happen at the least expected time—even around a wedding. Families who act quickly, secure counsel, and gather full records stand the best chance of obtaining release and charting a lawful path forward in the 🇺🇸.
This Article in a Nutshell
In 2025, multiple cases have drawn attention to the risk that lawful permanent residents can be detained by ICE during weddings, travel, or immigration interviews. Notable incidents include a bride arrested days before her ceremony, a scientist detained at San Francisco airport over a 2011 marijuana conviction, and others taken during USCIS interviews or after honeymoons. Attorneys identify three main triggers: old removal orders, past criminal convictions, and missed hearings often caused by outdated addresses. Enforcement commonly occurs during airport secondary screenings, USCIS interviews, and worksite actions. Immediate steps include securing removal-defense counsel, seeking bond hearings, filing motions to reopen when applicable, and preparing family-based petitions like Forms I-130 and I-485. Families should gather all documentation and act quickly because access to counsel in detention is often limited and prompt legal strategy improves chances of release and relief.
