A 33-year-old British mother living in California was unexpectedly detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during what was supposed to be a routine green card appointment, sparking outrage among immigrant-rights advocates and renewed debate over America’s tightening immigration policies.
Katie Paul, a UK national, arrived at a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) office in San Diego alongside her American husband and their six-month-old baby to continue her spousal green card application. Instead of completing paperwork, she was ambushed by ICE agents, handcuffed in front of her family, and transferred to a federal immigration detention center.
Her family says she had been living in the U.S. after overstaying her visa, while pursuing legal residency through marriage — a process that, according to immigration attorneys, often forgives visa overstays once the spousal application is underway.
ICE: Visa Overstays Can Be Arrested at Federal Offices
In a statement, ICE defended the arrest, noting that any individual who is unlawfully present can be detained, even inside federal buildings such as USCIS offices. The agency’s stance reflects a broader enforcement push amid ** intensified immigration actions** under the current administration.
Paul’s mother said she has only been able to see her daughter via FaceTime, while her son-in-law now cares for their baby alone as he works with lawyers to secure her release. A GoFundMe campaign has also been launched to support legal fees and childcare expenses.
Renewed Criticism of ICE Tactics
The incident has fueled criticism toward ICE for what activists describe as aggressive enforcement tactics, including arrests at routine immigration appointments that are traditionally considered low-risk and cooperative environments. Civil rights groups say such actions undermine trust between immigrants and federal agencies.
The case comes amid a rising number of detentions of visa overstays, green card applicants, and even lawful residents, drawing attention to inconsistencies in current immigration enforcement and policy.
According to LBC’s report: LBC
- Katie Paul, 33, went to a USCIS office in San Diego to complete paperwork for her spousal green card.
Paul’s family hopes she will be released soon as legal proceedings continue.
