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Kenyan truck driver detained 3 weeks by ICE at Virginia weigh station, released pending marriage case

Jun 29, 2026 · Middletown, VA, Kenya

James Wambui, a Kenyan truck driver, was arrested by ICE at a weigh station in Middletown, Virginia during a routine cargo stop after a local sheriff handed his documents to waiting ICE officers. He was transferred to Farmville Detention Center and held for three weeks, incurring $50,000 in legal fees. Wambui was eventually released due to pending marriage-based immigration petition, asylum application, and marriage to a U.S. citizen, though ICE retained his driver's license, work permit, Social Security card, and other personal documents.

Timeline

Jul 19, 2026Released from detention after three weeks due to pending marriage-based immigration petition, asylum application, and marriage to U.S. citizen; ICE retained personal documents including driver's license, work permit, and Social Security card
Jun 29, 2026Wambui arrested by ICE at weigh station in Middletown, Virginia after sheriff handed his documents to ICE officers; transferred to Farmville Detention Center

Sources

More incidents in Virginia