Key Takeaways
• Ward Sakeik, a stateless Palestinian, was detained 140 days at ICE after honeymoon in Feb 2025.
• US immigration policies under Project 2025 expanded expedited removal and reduced protections for vulnerable immigrants.
• Over 100,000 deportations in 2025; ICE detention centres face reports of harsh conditions and denied basic needs.
Ward Sakeik’s Ordeal at an ICE Detention Centre: What Her Story Reveals About US Immigration in 2025
Ward Sakeik, a 22-year-old stateless Palestinian woman living in Texas, spent 140 days in an ICE detention centre after returning from her honeymoon in February 2025. Her experience—marked by harsh treatment, repeated deportation attempts, and long periods without basic necessities—has become a powerful example of the current state of US immigration enforcement. Sakeik’s case highlights the growing challenges faced by stateless people and other vulnerable immigrants as US immigration policies become stricter under new government priorities.
This report explains what happened to Ward Sakeik, the official responses, the broader policy context, and what these developments mean for immigrants, families, and advocates across the United States 🇺🇸.
Who is Ward Sakeik and What Happened to Her?
Ward Sakeik has lived in the United States 🇺🇸 since she was eight years old. She is married to a US citizen and calls Texas home. In February 2025, after celebrating her honeymoon in the US Virgin Islands, she was detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at Miami International Airport during a layover on her way back to Dallas.
Despite her marriage and long-term residence, Sakeik was held at an ICE detention centre for 140 days. She described being treated “like cattle,” handcuffed for 16 hours on a bus without food or water, and denied the chance to speak with her husband or lawyer for up to 50 hours at a time. ICE tried to deport her three times, even after a federal court blocked her removal from Texas. On June 30, 2025, ICE attempted to deport her again without warning or allowing her to make a phone call.
At a press conference in Dallas-Fort Worth, Sakeik spoke about the emotional and physical toll of her detention. She said the experience stripped away her humanity and made her feel like a criminal simply because she is stateless and newly married.
How Did ICE and the Government Respond?
Officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and ICE defended their actions and the conditions at the detention centre. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said that detainees receive proper meals, medical care, and opportunities to contact family and lawyers. She denied that Sakeik or others were denied food or kept in poor conditions.
ICE and DHS also pointed out that Sakeik had been under a final removal order for over a decade. This order was based on her family overstaying a visa and being denied asylum years ago. According to the government, her presence in the United States 🇺🇸 was unlawful, and she had not complied with immigration rules.
What is the Policy Context in 2025?
US immigration enforcement has become much stricter in 2025, mainly due to new policies linked to Project 2025. This agenda, associated with President Trump’s expected return, has led to several major changes:
- Elimination of the Diversity Visa Lottery: This program, which allowed people from underrepresented countries to apply for US residency, is being phased out.
- Restrictions on Family-Based Immigration: The government is limiting “chain migration,” making it harder for families to reunite in the United States 🇺🇸.
- Expansion of Expedited Removal: ICE can now deport people across the country without a court hearing or judicial review.
- Reduced Protections for Vulnerable Groups: Programs like Temporary Protected Status (TPS), Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), and special visas for crime victims (T and U visas) are being rolled back.
- ICE Raids in Sensitive Locations: Enforcement actions can now take place in schools, hospitals, and other places that were previously considered off-limits.
- Closer Cooperation with Local Police: Federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies are working together more closely to enforce immigration laws.
These changes have led to a sharp increase in deportations—over 100,000 people have been deported in 2025 so far. There has also been a troubling rise in deaths at ICE detention centres, with 12 confirmed since October 2024.
Why Are Stateless People Like Ward Sakeik Especially Vulnerable?
Stateless people do not have citizenship in any country. This makes their situation very complicated. They often cannot be deported because no country will accept them, but they also have trouble getting legal status or protection in the United States 🇺🇸.
For people like Sakeik, this means:
- Long Detention: They can be held for months or even years while the government tries to find a country that will accept them.
- Legal Limbo: Without citizenship, they have few rights and little protection under US immigration law.
- Repeated Deportation Attempts: ICE may try to deport them multiple times, even if courts have blocked their removal.
- Emotional and Physical Harm: Prolonged detention, harsh treatment, and uncertainty can cause severe trauma.
Advocates say that the current system criminalizes stateless people and other undocumented immigrants, often ignoring their personal circumstances or the dangers they might face if deported.
What Are the Main Problems with ICE Detention Centres?
Ward Sakeik’s story is not unique. Many people held in ICE detention centres report similar problems:
- Lack of Basic Necessities: Detainees have reported being denied food, water, or medical care for long periods.
- Harsh Treatment: People are often shackled, forced to wear prison uniforms, and moved around in ways that feel dehumanizing.
- Limited Communication: Detainees may not be allowed to contact their families or lawyers for days at a time.
- Family Separation: Detention often breaks up families, even when people are married to US citizens or have children in the United States 🇺🇸.
- Legal Barriers: Many detainees have little or no access to legal help, making it hard to challenge their detention or deportation.
These problems have led to growing criticism from human rights groups, legal experts, and some lawmakers.
What Do Experts and Advocates Say?
- Human Rights Advocates: Groups like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Human Rights Watch say that ICE’s treatment of detainees violates basic human rights. They argue that the system is designed to punish and scare immigrants rather than protect them.
- Government Officials: DHS and ICE leaders defend their actions, saying that they are following the law and keeping the country safe. They insist that detention centres meet all legal standards for care and safety.
- Legal Experts: Many lawyers warn that the expansion of expedited removal and the reduction of court oversight could lead to wrongful deportations and violations of due process. They say that people like Sakeik are at risk of being deported without a fair hearing.
- Policy Analysts: According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, Project 2025’s focus on strict enforcement is likely to increase the number of people held in detention and the number of deportations, while reducing opportunities for relief or legal status.
How Did US Immigration Policy Get Here?
The shift toward stricter enforcement began in 2024, as the government moved away from programs that offered relief or protection to undocumented immigrants. The Trump administration’s policies, revived and expanded in 2024-2025, have made it much harder for people to stay in the United States 🇺🇸 legally if they do not have citizenship or a valid visa.
Stateless people have always faced special challenges, but the current environment has made things even harder. Without a country to call home, they are often trapped in detention or at risk of being sent to places where they have no legal status or support.
What Does This Mean for Immigrants and Their Families?
For people facing detention or deportation, the risks are higher than ever:
- Legal Challenges: If you have a final removal order, you can be deported quickly, often without a chance to see a judge or talk to a lawyer.
- Detention Conditions: Reports of poor treatment, lack of food or water, and limited communication are common.
- Family Separation: Detention and deportation can break up families, even when people are married to US citizens or have children in the United States 🇺🇸.
- Statelessness: If you do not have citizenship in any country, you may be held in detention for a long time, with no clear path to freedom or legal status.
What Can Affected Individuals Do?
If you or someone you know is facing detention or deportation, here are some steps to consider:
- Seek Legal Help: Contact a qualified immigration lawyer as soon as possible. Organizations like the National Immigrant Justice Center and the American Immigration Council can help.
- Know Your Rights: Even if you are detained, you have the right to contact your lawyer and family. You can also ask for a copy of your immigration file.
- Stay Informed: Keep up to date with changes in immigration policy. The ICE official website provides information on detention policies, detainee locator tools, and contact details.
- Reach Out to Advocacy Groups: Groups like the ACLU and Human Rights Watch monitor detention conditions and can sometimes offer support or connect you with resources.
What’s Next for US Immigration Policy?
Looking ahead, several things could happen:
- More Expedited Removals: If Project 2025 policies continue, more people will face quick deportations without court hearings.
- Increased Detention: The number of people held in ICE detention centres is likely to grow.
- Fewer Relief Programs: Programs that once offered protection to vulnerable groups may be further reduced or eliminated.
- Legal Challenges: Civil rights groups are expected to keep fighting these policies in court, but big changes may be slow due to political divisions.
- Public Awareness: Cases like Ward Sakeik’s may draw more attention to the human impact of these policies and spark debate about the future of US immigration.
Key Takeaways and Practical Guidance
- Ward Sakeik’s experience at an ICE detention centre shows the harsh realities of US immigration enforcement in 2025.
- Stateless people and other vulnerable immigrants face long detentions, repeated deportation attempts, and limited legal protections.
- Recent policy changes have made it easier for ICE to detain and deport people, often without court review or due process.
- Families are at risk of being separated, and many detainees report poor treatment and lack of basic necessities.
- Legal help and advocacy are more important than ever for those facing detention or deportation.
If you or someone you know is affected by these issues, seek help from a qualified immigration lawyer and stay informed about your rights. For more information on ICE detention policies and how to locate a detainee, visit the official ICE Detention Management page.
Conclusion
Ward Sakeik’s story is a powerful reminder of the human cost of strict immigration enforcement. As US immigration policies continue to change, it is important for individuals, families, and advocates to understand their rights and seek help when needed. The debate over how to treat stateless people and other vulnerable immigrants is likely to continue, shaping the future of US immigration for years to come.
Learn Today
Stateless → A person without citizenship in any country, facing legal and protection challenges within immigration systems.
ICE → U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, responsible for enforcing immigration laws and detaining undocumented immigrants.
Expedited Removal → A fast-track deportation procedure allowing removal without court hearings or judicial review.
TPS → Temporary Protected Status; a humanitarian program granting temporary legal status to eligible immigrants.
Chain Migration → Family-based immigration where relatives sponsor new immigrants to reunite families in the US.
This Article in a Nutshell
Ward Sakeik’s 140-day ICE detention highlights 2025’s harsh US immigration enforcement. Stateless immigrants face long detentions, repeated deportations, and legal challenges under Project 2025 policies increasing deportations and reducing protections nationwide.
— By VisaVerge.com
