A 33-year-old British woman has been dramatically arrested by ICE agents in California while cradling her six-month-old son, moments before completing the final steps of her green card application.
The shocking arrest at immigration office
Katie, who asked to be identified only by her first name, was taken into custody at the San Diego U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office on Thursday while accompanied by her American husband Stephen Paul, 33. The couple were undergoing what should have been the final stage of Katie's green card approval process when immigration enforcement officers intervened.
The arrest occurred while Katie was still holding her infant son, leaving both parents in complete shock. Her mother, Jules Peters, 55, based in Surrey, described the family as being "in absolute pieces" following the unexpected detention.
From holiday romance to immigration nightmare
Katie first travelled to California in September 2024 to visit her long-distance boyfriend Stephen. The couple's relationship quickly progressed when they discovered Katie was pregnant during her visit, leading them to marry the following month.
Originally planning to return to the UK, Katie decided to remain in the United States after doctors classified her pregnancy as high-risk. Under US immigration law, she was legally permitted to stay while applying for her green card through marriage to an American citizen.
"They had spoken to an immigration lawyer who said they can apply for a green card while living in the US because they are married," Jules Peters explained, highlighting the family's belief they were following proper legal channels.
Family's desperate plea for release
Katie is currently being held at a detention centre but has been able to maintain contact with her family through FaceTime calls. Her mother reports that while she isn't being treated poorly, Katie is suffering from anxiety and feeling "really, really low" while separated from her husband and baby.
The timing couldn't be worse for the young family, with Katie's mother expressing hope that her daughter might be released in time for Thanksgiving. "She loves living in the US, even after all this, she just wants her life with her husband and baby," Jules Peters told reporters.
ICE released a statement defending their actions, stating: "Individuals unlawfully present in the United States, including those out of status at federal sites such as USCIS offices, may face arrest, detention, and removal in accordance with U.S. immigration law."
The arrest comes amid increased immigration enforcement under Donald Trump's second term, which has seen expanded raids targeting cities across the United States, including recent operations in Charlotte, North Carolina.
