The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Service (ICE) detained Ameaka Fatima Nkempu, a Cameroonian researcher who works for Johns Hopkins University and whose visa to remain in the United States expired more than two years ago.
The African immigrant was detained in Baltimore accused of staying in the country longer than established in the document with which she entered in June 2023.
Johns Hopkins University officials announced that ICE agents surprised Nkempu at Baltimore-Washington International Airport during a trip for personal reasons.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reiterated that staying longer than established on any visa constitutes a violation of immigration laws, which implies a crime.
Based on this, Ameaka Fatima Nkempu was given the option of remaining in custody in a detention center for foreigners lacking legal status while her deportation process unfolds or accessing a free flight back to her nation of origin along with a check for $2,600 as a financial incentive to voluntarily leave the United States.
The Cameroonian researcher is an employee of the Bloomberg School of Public Health and a respected member of the university community.
Within Johns Hopkins University there is enormous concern about the fate that awaits it.
“The university understands the fear and concern this creates for members of our community.
“Dr. Ameaka was traveling for personal reasons and, while we cannot comment on the details of her situation, we want to assure our community that the university is actively working to support her, including guaranteeing her access to legal representation,” the educational institution said in a statement.
This week, an investigation carried out by The New York Times that includes a review of official documents and the testimony of immigration attorneys reveals that, in its desire to increase deportations of foreigners lacking legal status, the federal government has even begun to require the detention at airports of foreigners whose U.S. visas have expired.
To meet this objective, there is a collaboration agreement between the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and ICE.
