A Mother’s Green Card Visit Turns 20-Day ICE Horror

Green card applicants in San Diego are sharing disturbing accounts after being held in detention for more than two weeks. One woman described her experience on Reddit, calling it traumatic and unreal.

Interview turns into arrest without warning
She attended her adjustment of status interview on November 12 with her husband and son. The interview began normally until the officer stepped out for updated photos. She alleges that two ICE agents then entered, offered no warrant and told her she was under arrest.

Handcuffs, anxiety and no access to medication
She asked for one last hug with her crying child, and an officer sighed in irritation. Chains were placed on her hands, waist and ankles. She says she was taken in a van filled with detainees and suffered an anxiety attack, pleading for her medication but receiving no response.

Dozens detained despite active applications
She claims that 25 others were detained from USCIS interviews on the same day. All were told they had overstayed visas even though each one was already in the process of adjusting status. Past visa violations are generally resolved through AOS rather than detention.

Judge questions mass detention and sets low bond
She said detainees were moved from room to room in freezing conditions before a judge saw them the next day. The judge appeared shocked and set bonds at 1,500 dollars since none of them had criminal records.

Released after 20 days with ankle monitor
She walked out after 20 days, but with an ankle monitor attached. Her children cry when they see it, thinking she is being punished like a criminal. She said she stayed longer in the US only to avoid cancelling her green card process, not to break law.

Case approval arrived after her arrest
Her I-130 was approved the day after she was detained, while her I-485 is now stalled and awaits a judge. Some online believe these arrests are an attempt to boost detention statistics, though no official confirmation exists. The woman remains hopeful that the system will correct itself and justice will follow.