Egyptian Coptic Christian detained by ICE during routine check-in
Jul 1, 2026 · Tennessee, Egypt
Said Tawadros Wahba Tawadros, an Egyptian citizen and practicing Coptic Orthodox Christian who has resided in the United States since August 2023, was taken into ICE custody on July 1, 2026, during a routine ICE check-in. He was detained at the West Tennessee Detention Facility without an individualized determination regarding the necessity of continued confinement. The court stayed his transfer and required ICE to respond to his habeas petition, noting that under Lopez-Campos v. Raycraft, noncitizens who have spent significant time in the United States interior and have not committed disqualifying offenses may not be detained without an individualized bond hearing. Eshak Mamdouh Taki Ghaly, an Egyptian citizen and Coptic Orthodox Christian who fled religious persecution, was detained by ICE on July 1, 2026, at the West Tennessee Detention Facility. Ghaly had resided in the United States continuously since July 2023, maintained steady employment in Nashville, attended all required ICE check-ins, and had no criminal history. He filed a habeas corpus petition challenging his detention without an individualized bond hearing. The court issued an order staying his transfer and requiring the government to respond within two business days, with instructions to either distinguish the case from Lopez-Campos v. Raycraft or consent to release.
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