Heartbreaking Truths: Ward Sakeik's 140 Days in ICE Detention—A Newlywed's Ordeal and America's Immigration Challenge

Time Business News

5 hours ago

Ward Sakeik, a 22-year-old stateless Palestinian woman and newlywed from Texas, has spoken out after enduring 140 days in US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention. Her harrowing experience, described as being 'treated like cattle,' has ignited a national debate about the treatment of stateless individuals and the broader realities of the US immigration system. Sakeik's account, delivered at an emotional press conference in Dallas-Fort Worth, has become a flashpoint for human rights advocates, legal experts, and immigrant communities across the United States and India.
Ward Sakeik's story has become a rallying point for immigrant rights activists across the United States. Her detailed account of life in ICE detention has sparked protests outside federal buildings and detention centers, with demonstrators demanding better treatment for detainees and urgent reforms to immigration enforcement. Placards bearing her name and story have appeared at rallies, and her case is being cited in petitions to lawmakers calling for the end of prolonged detention for stateless individuals and those with pending legal status.
The psychological scars left by Sakeik's detention are evident in her public statements. She has spoken about the constant fear and uncertainty that defined her daily existence, never knowing when she might be transferred, deported, or allowed to speak with her loved ones. The lack of access to basic comforts, such as fresh air, sunlight, and nutritious food, contributed to feelings of isolation and despair. Sakeik has described how even small acts of kindness from fellow detainees or rare moments of communication with her husband became lifelines in an otherwise bleak environment.
Legal experts following her case point out that Sakeik's ordeal exposes significant gaps in the U.S. immigration system's handling of stateless persons. Without a country willing to accept her, Sakeik was trapped in a legal limbo, unable to return to her birthplace or move forward with her life in the United States. Advocates argue that her experience demonstrates the urgent need for new legislation that addresses the unique challenges faced by stateless individuals, including clearer guidelines for release and protection from indefinite detention.
The broader implications of Sakeik's experience are being debated in legal circles and among policymakers. Some lawmakers have called for congressional hearings to investigate ICE detention practices and to consider reforms that would prevent similar cases in the future. There is growing support for the creation of a pathway to legal residency or citizenship for stateless residents who have lived in the U.S. for many years and have established deep ties to the community.
Ward Sakeik's ordeal began in February 2025, shortly after returning from her honeymoon in the US Virgin Islands with her husband, Taahir Shaikh, a US citizen. The couple had deliberately chosen the Virgin Islands, a US territory, to avoid complications with international travel due to Sakeik's pending green card application. Despite these precautions, Sakeik was detained by ICE at Miami International Airport, still wearing her wedding ring and carrying documentation outlining her immigration status.
Sakeik, who has lived in the United States since she was eight years old, was immediately separated from her husband and placed in handcuffs. 'I was just coming back from my honeymoon with my husband,' she recalled. 'Instead, I was shackled, handcuffed for 16 hours without food or water, and moved around like cattle.' Her initial shock quickly turned into a months-long ordeal marked by uncertainty, deprivation, and fear.
During her 140 days in ICE custody, Sakeik was transferred between at least four detention facilities. She described being repeatedly shackled, forced to wear a gray tracksuit, and transported for hours without basic necessities. 'I was handcuffed for 16 hours without any water or food on the bus,' she said, recalling the physical and emotional toll of her detention. 'I was moved around like cattle. The US government tried to dump me in a part of the world where I had no idea where I was going, what I was doing.'
Sakeik also reported being denied access to a phone for days at a time, unable to contact her husband or attorney. 'There were stretches—36 hours, 50 hours—when I was not allowed to call my attorney or my husband,' she recounted. 'ICE thugs told me I could contact my family and lawyer 'when you get to the country or when you get to the transfer or whenever you get wherever you're getting.'' The uncertainty and lack of communication exacerbated her distress, leaving her feeling powerless and alone.
Sakeik's statelessness—born in Saudi Arabia but holding no citizenship—complicated her case. Despite living in the US for most of her life and being married to a US citizen, she was subject to a final removal order that had been in place for over a decade. Her family's original asylum request had been denied, but they were not deported due to their stateless status and instead placed under an order of supervision, requiring annual check-ins with immigration authorities.
ICE attempted to deport Sakeik on at least two occasions, even as federal court orders barred her removal. The first deportation attempt involved taking her to the Israel border amid regional conflict, and the second came just a day before her eventual release. Both times, Sakeik was given no opportunity to contact her family or legal team. 'These deportations, they just happened all of a sudden—I was not given a phone call,' she said. Her legal team has condemned ICE's actions as unlawful and inhumane.
The Department of Homeland Security has denied allegations of mistreatment, insisting that all detainees receive proper meals, medical care, and opportunities to communicate with family and lawyers. 'Ensuring the safety, security, and well-being of individuals in our custody is a top priority at ICE,' said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. 'Any claim that there is a lack of food or subprime conditions at ICE detention centers are false.'
However, Sakeik's account has resonated with advocates and the public, many of whom see her experience as emblematic of broader issues within the US immigration system. Human rights organizations have called for independent investigations into ICE detention practices, while legal experts argue that the treatment of stateless individuals like Sakeik exposes fundamental flaws in current policies. The case has also drawn attention in India, where debates about statelessness, refugee rights, and the treatment of immigrants are ongoing.
For Sakeik, the psychological impact of her detention has been profound. 'I lost five months of my life because I was criminalized for being stateless, something I have absolutely no control over. I didn't choose to be stateless,' she said. The experience has left her questioning the values she was taught growing up in America. 'The humanity that I was taught in school growing up is not the humanity that I've seen. It was stripped away from me.'
Her release, just 48 hours before her press conference, was a moment of overwhelming relief. 'I was overfilled with joy and a little shock,' she said. 'It was my first time seeing a tree in five months.' Sakeik is now focused on rebuilding her life, reuniting with her husband, and advocating for others who remain in detention.
Sakeik's husband, Taahir Shaikh, has emerged as a vocal advocate for her and others in similar situations. He has given interviews describing the emotional toll of being separated from his wife and the frustration of navigating a complex and often unresponsive bureaucracy. His efforts to raise awareness have included organizing community meetings, reaching out to elected officials, and collaborating with immigrant support organizations to push for systemic change.
The outpouring of support for Sakeik has extended beyond the United States, with international human rights groups and diaspora communities expressing solidarity. In India, where issues of statelessness and refugee rights are also pressing concerns, her story has resonated with activists and policymakers. Debates in Indian media have drawn parallels between Sakeik's ordeal and the experiences of stateless populations in South Asia, highlighting the global nature of the problem.
Despite her release, Sakeik continues to face uncertainty regarding her future in the United States. Her legal team is working to secure her permanent residency, but the process is fraught with bureaucratic hurdles and the risk of further detention. Sakeik has expressed determination to use her experience as a platform to advocate for others, vowing to speak out until meaningful change is achieved for all stateless individuals in America.
Her case has also prompted discussions about the mental health needs of detainees. Medical professionals and psychologists have called for increased access to counseling and support services for those held in immigration detention, noting the long-term effects of trauma and isolation. Sakeik's willingness to share her story publicly has helped destigmatize the mental health struggles faced by many in detention.
Ward Sakeik's 140-day ordeal in ICE detention has become a symbol of the urgent need for immigration reform and greater compassion in the treatment of vulnerable individuals. As her story continues to inspire advocacy and debate, it serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of bureaucratic indifference and the resilience of those who refuse to be silenced by injustice.
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