Father of Four Detained by ICE During Citizenship Interview After 12 Years

Key Takeaways

• Kasper Eriksen detained May 21, 2025, at final citizenship interview in Memphis, facing deportation for missed Form I-751.
• Missed 2015 I-751 filing ended conditional residency; removal order issued 2019, enforced by ICE despite no criminal record.
• Eriksen held at LaSalle Detention Center; family separated, wife six months pregnant; no new federal policies to prevent cases.

On May 21, 2025, Kasper Eriksen—a Danish-born father of four, with a fifth child on the way—was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at his final citizenship interview in Memphis, Tennessee. After living in the United States 🇺🇸 for more than 12 years, working as a foreman, and raising a family with his American wife, Savannah Hobart Eriksen, Eriksen’s life changed in an instant. He now sits in the LaSalle Detention Center in Louisiana, facing possible deportation to Denmark 🇩🇰, while his pregnant wife and children remain in Mississippi, unsure of what comes next.

This case has drawn attention from immigrant advocates, legal experts, and families across the country. It highlights how a single missed immigration form can have life-changing consequences, even for long-term residents with deep family and community ties. Here’s a detailed look at what happened, why it matters, and what it means for others in similar situations.

A Family’s Life Upended at a Citizenship Interview

Kasper Eriksen’s story is not unique, but it is deeply personal. After arriving in the United States 🇺🇸 in 2013, Eriksen built a life with Savannah, a U.S. citizen. Together, they have four young children and were expecting a fifth child in August 2025. Eriksen worked as a foreman, paid taxes, and stayed out of trouble with the law.

On May 21, 2025, Eriksen attended what was supposed to be the final step in his journey to become a U.S. citizen: his naturalization interview. Instead, ICE officers detained him on the spot, acting on a removal order issued in 2019. Eriksen was taken to the LaSalle Detention Center, a facility run by the private company GEO Group, where he remains as of May 28, 2025.

His wife, Savannah, is six months pregnant and caring for their children alone. She says the family never received notice of the removal order and had no idea that a missed form years earlier could lead to such a harsh outcome.

How a Missed Form Led to Detention

To understand how this happened, it’s important to look at the steps immigrants must follow when they get a green card through marriage. When someone marries a U.S. citizen and receives a green card, it is often “conditional.” This means the person must file Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence, within 90 days before the second anniversary of getting that status. This form tells the government that the marriage is real and ongoing.

In 2015, after the stillbirth of their first child, Kasper Eriksen and his wife missed the deadline to file Form I-751. According to the family, the tragedy and grief made it hard to keep up with paperwork. Missing this step meant Eriksen’s conditional residency ended, and the government started removal (deportation) proceedings.

In 2019, a removal order was issued against Eriksen. The family says they never received any notice about this order. Years passed, and Eriksen continued living, working, and raising his family in the United States 🇺🇸. He followed the rules, paid taxes, and stayed out of trouble.

But the removal order remained active. When Eriksen went to his citizenship interview in 2025, ICE officers enforced the order and detained him.

What Happens After a Missed I-751 Filing?

The process that led to Eriksen’s detention is a common one in the U.S. immigration system. Here’s how it works:

1. Conditional Residency: Immigrants who get a green card through marriage must file Form I-751 within a specific window to remove the “conditions” on their residency.
2. Missed Filing: If the form is not filed on time, the person’s status is automatically terminated. The government can then start removal proceedings.
3. Removal Order: If a removal order is issued and the person does not challenge it (often because they never received notice), it stays in effect.
4. Naturalization Process: Even if someone applies for citizenship, any outstanding removal order can be enforced at any stage, including at the final interview.
5. ICE Detention: ICE can detain people with removal orders at immigration appointments, such as citizenship interviews.
6. Release or Deportation: Detainees may remain in custody for weeks or months, waiting for a decision on their case or possible deportation.

This process is strict and leaves little room for mistakes, even when the mistake is due to a family tragedy or honest error.

Detention Conditions at LaSalle Detention Center

Since his detention, Kasper Eriksen has been held at the LaSalle Detention Center in Louisiana. The facility is run by the GEO Group, a private company that operates several immigration detention centers in the United States 🇺🇸.

According to reports, Eriksen is housed with up to 90 other immigrants. He gets a couple of hours of outdoor time each day but spends most of his time in a crowded cell. As of May 20, 2025, Eriksen told his family he had lost about 25 pounds since being detained. He has not been charged with any crime, nor accused of gang activity or other wrongdoing.

Detainees like Eriksen often face long waits with no clear timeline for release or deportation. The uncertainty adds to the stress for both the detainees and their families.

No Automatic Protection for Families

One of the most painful parts of Eriksen’s story is that being married to a U.S. citizen and having U.S.-born children does not automatically protect someone from detention or deportation if there is a removal order. The U.S. immigration system does not provide special protection for families in these situations, even when the underlying problem is a paperwork error.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, the system is highly unforgiving of missed deadlines or forms. Even long-term residents who have contributed to their communities and have strong family ties can be detained and deported if they have an outstanding removal order.

No Recent Policy Changes to Prevent Cases Like Eriksen’s

Despite growing attention to cases like Kasper Eriksen’s, there have been no new federal policies announced in the past week that would prevent similar detentions. The Biden administration has not issued new guidance on how ICE should handle old removal orders triggered by paperwork errors, nor on detentions at citizenship interviews.

The broader policy landscape remains strict. ICE is legally required to enforce removal orders, and there is little room for discretion unless a judge or higher authority steps in. This means that families like the Eriksens can be separated, even when the original mistake was minor and unintentional.

Advocates and Critics Speak Out

Immigration attorneys, civil rights groups, and advocates have condemned the practice of detaining people at citizenship interviews, especially when the person has no criminal record and the issue is a paperwork error.

They argue that the U.S. immigration system is too complex and unforgiving. Honest mistakes can lead to family separation, loss of income, and emotional trauma. Critics say there should be more flexibility and better notification procedures, so families are not blindsided by removal orders years after a missed form.

ICE, on the other hand, says it must enforce the law as written. If a removal order exists, ICE is required to act on it unless a court or official grants relief.

Legal Options for Eriksen and Others

For people in Eriksen’s situation, the legal options are limited but important:

• Motion to Reopen: The family can ask an immigration judge to reopen the removal order, especially if they never received notice. This process can take weeks or months and is not always successful.
• Stay of Removal: The family can request a temporary halt to deportation while the case is reviewed.
• Appeals and Advocacy: Legal teams and advocacy groups can help by raising public awareness and pushing for policy changes.

It’s important for families to seek help from qualified immigration attorneys and organizations. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website provides official information on forms and procedures. Groups like the Immigrant Defense Project and the ACLU Immigrants’ Rights Project also offer resources and support.

Wider Implications for Immigrants and Families

Kasper Eriksen’s case is a warning for other immigrants and their families. Here are some key takeaways:

• Paperwork Matters: Missing a single form or deadline can have serious consequences, even years later.
• No Automatic Family Protection: Marriage to a U.S. citizen or having U.S. citizen children does not guarantee protection from detention or deportation if a removal order exists.
• Detention Can Happen at Any Stage: ICE can detain people at immigration appointments, including citizenship interviews, if there is an outstanding removal order.
• Legal Help Is Essential: Immigrants should keep copies of all paperwork, update their addresses with immigration authorities, and seek legal help if they receive any official notices.

Summary Table: Key Facts

Contact Information and Resources

If you or someone you know is facing a similar situation, these resources may help:

• ICE Detention Reporting and Information Line: 1-888-351-4024 (8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Eastern, Monday – Friday)
• USCIS Official Website: For forms, instructions, and updates
• Immigrant Defense Project: immigrantdefenseproject.org
• ACLU Immigrants’ Rights Project: aclu.org/issues/immigrants-rights

Looking Ahead: Calls for Reform and Family’s Uncertain Future

As of May 28, 2025, Kasper Eriksen remains in detention, and his family’s future is unclear. Legal and advocacy efforts are ongoing, but there is no guarantee of a quick or positive outcome. Civil rights groups continue to push for changes that would allow people to fix honest mistakes without being separated from their families.

The case of Kasper Eriksen shows how strict rules and lack of flexibility in the U.S. immigration system can turn a simple paperwork error into a life-changing crisis. Until there are changes in policy or law, families in similar situations remain at risk.

For now, the Eriksen family waits—hoping for relief, and for a chance to stay together in the country they call home.

Learn Today

Form I-751 → Petition to remove conditions on permanent residency, required within 90 days before second anniversary of conditional status.
Conditional Residency → Temporary green card status granted through marriage, requiring proof of genuine marriage to gain permanent residency.
Removal Order → A legal directive issued to deport an immigrant from the United States after violations or missed requirements.
ICE → U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, agency enforcing immigration laws including detention and deportation orders.
Naturalization Interview → Final step in the citizenship process where applicants are interviewed and citizenship eligibility is verified.

This Article in a Nutshell

Kasper Eriksen’s detention at his citizenship interview reveals how a missed immigration form leads to deportation despite long U.S. residency and family ties.
— By VisaVerge.com