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Ethiopian man repeatedly re-detained by ICE despite court orders, official held in contempt

Jul 28, 2026 · Baltimore, MD, Ethiopia

Ethiopian man repeatedly re-detained by ICE despite court orders, official held in contempt

Ibrahim Mohammed, a 44-year-old Ethiopian national who came to the U.S. in 2014, was granted protection from deportation in 2024 under the Convention Against Torture after an immigration judge found he would likely face torture or persecution if returned to Ethiopia. Despite federal court orders in February and March requiring his release, roughly 10 ICE agents arrested him a third time on July 28, 2025, at his Baltimore-area apartment after falsely telling him and his attorney his ankle monitor was malfunctioning. Agents shoved his head into a car and gave him documents referencing Eswatini, a country ICE had previously tried unsuccessfully to deport him to. A judge again ordered his immediate release the same day, and U.S. District Judge John deGravelles later held then-ICE deputy field office director Vernon Liggins, who ordered the arrest on his last day in that role, in civil contempt, ordering ICE to pay Mohammed's attorney's fees and $180 for lost time. Mohammed, who spent 13 months in and out of ICE custody, testified the repeated detentions caused him nightmares and led his landlord to force him to move out.

Timeline

Aug 18, 2026Judge held ICE official Vernon Liggins in civil contempt and awarded Mohammed damages and attorneys' fees
Jul 28, 2025ICE agents re-detained Mohammed at his apartment after falsely claiming his ankle monitor malfunctioned; a judge ordered his immediate release the same day
Mar 1, 2025Federal court again ordered ICE to release Mohammed
Feb 1, 2025Federal court first ordered ICE to release Mohammed

Sources

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