U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested Christian blogger Samuel Sey at Columbus International Airport in Ohio on October 21, 2026, and detained him on an immigration hold. He is 39.
Officers booked him into Butler County Jail shortly after 3:30 p.m. The booking status read “Hold for ICE,” an ICE Hold, and the public record listed no criminal charges. Jail records showed him in custody as of October 23.
The Department of Homeland Security said Sey will remain in federal immigration custody until his removal from the United States. The department says he accepted voluntary departure.
DHS says the arrest followed an overstay and accepted voluntary departure
The department’s account is that Sey entered the United States legally in 2022, then overstayed his authorized period of admission by more than four years. It also said he had no pending immigration applications.
DHS issued a statement shared publicly by journalist and author Megan Basham. The department said:
“On October 21, ICE arrested Samuel Sey, an illegal alien from Ghana, at the Columbus International Airport. Sey entered the United States legally in 2022 but overstayed his length of admission by over four years, in violation of our nation's laws.”
“Sey has no pending applications and accepted voluntary departure. He will remain in ICE custody until removed from the United States.”
The agency did not specify when he entered, when his admission expired, when he would leave or where he would be sent. It has not publicly identified Ghana or Canada as the destination.
DHS also urged undocumented immigrants to use the CBP Home App to leave voluntarily. The department cited an offer of $3,000 and a free flight for eligible people who choose to self-deport, and warned that violations can lead to arrest and deportation and affect a person’s ability to return legally.
Sey built a public profile as a Christian writer and commentator
Sey was born in Ghana and writes about religion, race, culture and politics. He runs the website Slow to Write and has worked as a schoolteacher and political commentator.
His writing has appeared in The Daily Wire, The Blaze, Christian Post, World, Turning Point USA, Desiring God, Liberty University's Falkirk Center and Founders Ministries. He previously worked with the Canadian Centre for Bio-Ethical Reform, an anti-abortion advocacy organization.
His mother, Cecilia, raised him alone after his father left while she was pregnant. She worked as a seamstress. Cecilia migrated legally to Canada in 1994, leaving Sey in Ghana; he contracted severe malaria in 1997, spent several weeks in hospital and reunited with her in Canada that year.
Sey later moved to the United States in 2022 to marry Annie Sey, who was living in Ohio. They have three children. He has publicly said he lacked permanent-resident status and authorization to work in the United States, and regularly sought donations to support his writing.
His own writing has defended strict immigration enforcement
Sey has argued that deportations align with Christian teaching. In an article published in 2025, he wrote, “Christian ethics do not denounce deportations. They demand it.” In January 2026, he posted on X, “If you love America you should support ICE.”
He has described people protesting immigration enforcement as “influenced by Satan.” A resurfaced video shows him telling congregants that “illegal immigration is a sin.” He said, “Donald Trump is not the first person to oppose illegal immigration,” and argued that illegal immigration violates “God's law.”
In the same video, Sey told congregants, “If I offend you with anything, it's okay, because I'm an immigrant myself. Except, just don't call ICE, that's all. Don't try to deport me for that. Don't worry, I'm a legal immigrant, so don't worry.” He has also criticized Trump, particularly on abortion.
Supporters cite a paperwork problem as DHS maintains its account
Conservative Christian commentators have rallied behind Sey, with some suggesting a clerical or paperwork error. Allie Beth Stuckey, author of Toxic Empathy, said on X that she could not share all the details, but described the matter as a “paperwork issue” being resolved. She also claimed ICE had not gone to his home.
Joel Berry organized an online fundraiser for Sey’s family and characterized the situation as a clerical mistake. A separate fundraising appeal said Annie was seeking his release on bail to address possible clerical problems with his immigration status. DHS, by contrast, said there were no active immigration applications in his name.
Sey co-hosts The Narrative with Aaron Baer. Baer is president of the Center for Christian Virtue and had not responded to questions by midafternoon October 26.
The federal government has not publicly disclosed whether it plans to send Sey to Ghana or Canada, or given a date for his departure. This article provides general information and is not legal advice. Consult a qualified immigration attorney about your specific case.
