A mother from the UK was taken into custody during a Green Card interview in the US, with her American husband witnessing the distressing incident. The woman, identified as Katie, was detained by ICE agents in San Diego despite having no criminal record and being in the final steps of obtaining permanent residency.
According to Katie’s husband, Stephen Paul, they were informed that overstaying a visa was not typically a concern during the Green Card application process. However, to their surprise, ICE agents confronted Katie at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office.
A Green Card, also known as a Permanent Resident Card, grants non-citizens the ability to reside and work in the country permanently. Stephen explained that Katie’s plans to return to the UK changed when she discovered her pregnancy, prompting the couple to pursue the Green Card in the US due to her high-risk pregnancy.
The husband recounted the heartbreaking moment when Katie was arrested, leaving them in disbelief as they believed they had followed all procedures correctly. Stephen recalled the anguish of having to comfort their crying baby after Katie was taken away, with his attempts to obtain information about her whereabouts proving challenging.
After finally managing to speak with his wife, Stephen described her as scared, anxious, and longing to reunite with her family. He expressed the emotional toll the situation had taken on him, highlighting the difficulties of caring for their child alone while worrying about Katie’s well-being. NBC News confirmed Katie’s presence in detainee records, adding to the family’s distress.
