Key Takeaways
• Ward Sakeik, a stateless woman with a pending green card, was detained by ICE in February 2025.
• She has spent about 120 days in detention despite marriage to a U.S. citizen and no clear deportation plan.
• Advocacy groups and officials urge ICE to reconsider detaining people with pending applications, especially stateless individuals.
A North Texas woman, Ward Sakeik, has become the focus of national attention after being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in early 2025, despite having a pending green card application and being married to a U.S. citizen. The case has sparked concern among her family, advocacy groups, and elected officials, raising important questions about how the United States 🇺🇸 handles immigration enforcement for people with pending legal status and the unique challenges faced by stateless individuals.
Who Is Ward Sakeik and What Happened?
Ward Sakeik, a 22-year-old photographer of Palestinian descent, was taken into ICE custody in February 2025. She and her husband, Taahir Shaikh, had just returned from their honeymoon in the U.S. Virgin Islands, arriving back in the United States 🇺🇸 through the Miami airport. At the airport, ICE officers questioned both Sakeik and her husband about their legal status in the country. Even though Sakeik and her husband explained that she had a pending green card application—a process that usually allows people married to U.S. citizens to stay in the country legally—ICE decided to detain her.
Sakeik has now spent about 120 days in detention, first at the El Valle Detention Center near McAllen, Texas, and more recently at the Prairieland Detention Center near Dallas. ICE has told her husband’s lawyers that she could be deported at any time, but has not said where she would be sent. This uncertainty has left her family and supporters deeply worried.
Why Was Sakeik Detained Despite a Pending Green Card Application?
The green card application process is the main way for people married to U.S. citizens to become lawful permanent residents. When someone files a green card application, they are usually allowed to stay in the United States 🇺🇸 while the government reviews their case. In many cases, ICE will not detain or deport people with pending applications, especially if they are married to U.S. citizens and have no criminal record.
However, Sakeik’s case is more complicated because she is stateless. Stateless people do not have citizenship in any country, which makes it difficult for the U.S. government to deport them. It also means they lack the protections that citizens of other countries might have. According to analysis from VisaVerge.com, detaining stateless individuals with pending green card applications is both legally and ethically controversial, as it raises questions about due process and humanitarian treatment.
ICE has not explained publicly why it chose to detain Sakeik, but the agency has told her husband’s lawyers that she may be deported soon. The lack of clear information has only added to the confusion and fear surrounding her case.
The Impact on Sakeik’s Family and Community
Sakeik’s detention has caused significant distress for her husband, Taahir Shaikh, and their families. Shaikh has spoken out about his fear and frustration, saying that ICE’s actions have separated him from his wife and left them both in a state of uncertainty. He has described the emotional pain of not knowing when—or if—his wife will be released or deported.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a national advocacy group, has also raised concerns about Sakeik’s case. CAIR has emphasized the humanitarian and civil rights issues at stake, pointing out that detaining someone with a pending green card application, especially a stateless person, can lead to unnecessary family separation and hardship.
U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett, who represents a district in Texas, has publicly acknowledged Sakeik’s detention. She is among the elected officials calling attention to the case and urging ICE to reconsider its actions. This political attention may increase pressure on ICE to review its decision and consider the broader implications for families and communities.
How Does the Detention Process Work in Cases Like This?
To understand Sakeik’s situation, it helps to look at the typical steps involved when someone with a pending green card application is detained by ICE:
- Entry and Inspection: When someone returns to the United States 🇺🇸, they are inspected by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) or ICE officers. The officers check their documents and ask questions about their status.
- Verification of Status: Officers look for proof that the person is allowed to be in the country. This can include a pending green card application, work permit, or other documents.
- Detention Decision: If ICE believes the person is “removable” (can be deported) or has concerns about their identity or compliance, they may decide to detain the person.
- Legal Proceedings: Detained individuals may be placed in removal (deportation) proceedings before an immigration judge. They have the right to a hearing, but being in detention can make it much harder to get legal help.
5. Potential Deportation: If a judge orders removal or if ICE decides to deport the person, they may be sent to their country of origin or, in the case of stateless people, another country that will accept them. - Appeals and Relief: People in detention can try to appeal removal orders or apply for relief, such as asylum or adjustment of status, but detention often limits their ability to communicate with lawyers and gather evidence.
For more information on the detention and removal process, readers can visit the official ICE website.
Why Is This Case Drawing So Much Attention?
Sakeik’s case stands out for several reasons:
- Statelessness: Stateless people are among the most vulnerable in the immigration system. Without citizenship, they have no country to return to, and deporting them is often impossible or dangerous.
- Pending Green Card Application: Sakeik was in the process of adjusting her status through marriage to a U.S. citizen. This is usually a strong basis for staying in the country, and detaining someone in this situation is rare and controversial.
- Family Separation: The case highlights the risk of separating families, even when one spouse is a U.S. citizen and the other is following the legal process.
- Lack of Policy Clarity: As of June 2025, there have been no new public policy changes from ICE or the Department of Homeland Security about detaining people with pending green card applications. This leaves many families uncertain about their rights and risks.
What Are the Legal and Policy Issues?
Immigration law experts say that detaining people like Sakeik raises serious legal and ethical questions. The law allows people married to U.S. citizens to apply for a green card and usually protects them from deportation while their application is pending. However, ICE has broad powers to detain and remove people it considers “removable,” even if they have pending applications.
For stateless people, the situation is even more complicated. Without a country to accept them, deportation can be nearly impossible. This can lead to long periods of detention with no clear outcome, which many advocates say is unfair and inhumane.
Legal analysts stress the importance of having a lawyer in these cases. Detained people often struggle to find legal help, and the process is full of complex rules and deadlines. For example, the main form used to apply for a green card through marriage is Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. People in detention may have trouble accessing this form or getting updates on their case.
The Role of Advocacy Groups and Elected Officials
Groups like CAIR have played a key role in bringing attention to Sakeik’s case. They argue that detaining people with pending green card applications, especially stateless individuals, goes against the values of fairness and family unity. CAIR and other advocates are calling for ICE to release Sakeik and allow her to continue her green card process outside of detention.
Elected officials, such as Representative Jasmine Crockett, can also help by raising the issue with ICE and pushing for policy changes. In some cases, members of Congress can ask ICE to review a case or request a stay of deportation while legal issues are resolved.
Broader Implications for Immigrants and Families
Sakeik’s case is not unique. Many immigrants with pending applications face the risk of detention or deportation, even when they are following the legal process. This creates fear and uncertainty for thousands of families across the United States 🇺🇸.
The case also highlights the need for clearer policies and better protections for people with pending applications. Some advocates are calling for new rules that would prevent ICE from detaining or deporting people who are in the process of adjusting their status, especially if they are married to U.S. citizens or are stateless.
For families, the stakes are high. Detention can mean months or even years apart, with limited contact and little hope of a quick resolution. The emotional and financial toll can be devastating.
What Can Affected Individuals Do?
If you or someone you know is facing a similar situation, here are some steps to consider:
- Contact a Lawyer: Legal representation is critical. Immigration law is complex, and having a lawyer can make a big difference in the outcome.
- Gather Documentation: Keep copies of all immigration forms, receipts, and correspondence. This includes proof of a pending green card application, marriage certificate, and any notices from USCIS or ICE.
- Reach Out to Advocacy Groups: Organizations like CAIR can provide support and may help connect you with legal resources.
- Contact Your Congressional Representative: Elected officials can sometimes intervene or request a review of your case.
- Stay Informed: Check the status of your green card application through the USCIS website.
Historical Context: Detention and Deportation of Immigrants with Pending Applications
The detention of immigrants with pending applications has been a source of debate for years. In the past, ICE has sometimes detained people who were in the process of adjusting their status, but these cases often draw criticism from advocacy groups and the public.
Stateless individuals are especially vulnerable because they have no country to return to. This can lead to long-term detention or “limbo,” where the person is neither released nor deported. Marriage to a U.S. citizen is supposed to provide a path to permanent residency, but enforcement practices can disrupt this process.
What Might Happen Next?
With growing public attention and involvement from elected officials, there may be efforts to help Sakeik. Possible outcomes include:
- Release from Detention: ICE could decide to release Sakeik while her green card application is processed.
- Administrative Relief: Her lawyers or advocates could request a stay of deportation or other relief.
- Policy Review: The case could prompt ICE or the Department of Homeland Security to review their policies on detaining people with pending applications.
- Legal Challenges: Sakeik’s lawyers could challenge her detention or potential deportation in court.
The situation remains uncertain, and developments in the coming weeks could affect not only Sakeik but also others in similar situations.
Key Takeaways for Immigrants and Families
- Having a pending green card application does not always protect against detention or deportation, especially for stateless individuals.
- Legal representation and advocacy are essential in challenging detention and removal.
- Family separation and emotional hardship are real risks in the current system.
- Public attention and political advocacy can sometimes influence ICE decisions.
Official Resources and Where to Get Help
- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE): ICE Detention and Removal
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): Green Card Application Process
- Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR): CAIR National
- Local Congressional Offices: Contact your representative for assistance with immigration cases.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, cases like Ward Sakeik’s highlight the urgent need for clear policies and humane treatment of immigrants with pending applications, especially those who are stateless or married to U.S. citizens. For families facing similar challenges, staying informed, seeking legal help, and reaching out to advocacy groups and elected officials can make a meaningful difference in their fight for justice and family unity.
Learn Today
ICE → U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency responsible for immigration enforcement and detention.
Stateless → A person without citizenship in any country, complicating deportation and legal protections.
Green Card → Official document allowing a non-citizen to live and work permanently in the United States.
I-485 → USCIS form used to apply for adjustment of status to permanent residency.
Removal Proceedings → Legal process where an immigration judge decides if a person can be deported.
This Article in a Nutshell
Ward Sakeik, detained by ICE despite a pending green card and U.S. marriage, highlights challenges stateless immigrants face. Her detention raises legal and humanitarian concerns, sparking advocacy from civil rights groups and elected officials demanding policy clarity and family unity protections for immigrants like her.
— By VisaVerge.com
