Green-card holders held without a bed, sleep, or basic hygiene in California
Stories report lawful permanent residents detained by CBP or ICE at California airports and detention facilities, including San Francisco International Airport, LAX, and an ICE facility in Los Angeles, held for periods ranging from about a week to over a week without a bed, sleep, or access to hygiene; in some cases detainees were also denied needed medications and shackled for extended transfers. Those described include a Ph.D. candidate, a therapist, a diabetic longtime resident, and a man with a brain tumor. The pattern was first documented in July 2025 and has recurred in multiple months since, though it now makes up a smaller share of recent reported stories than at its July 2025 peak.
Recurring since Jul 2025. Shrinking as a share of recent stories.
Share of each month's well-documented stories, Jan 2025 to Oct 2026. Volume is not shown: coverage grew over the record, shares did not have to.
6 stories in 1 state. What accompanies this practice →
“One, do something about Everlee, there has to be something the New Zealand government can do; and two, train your people … because the help we are getting is not the best”
California
Diabetic permanent resident held eight days by CBP at San Francisco airportA 67-year-old green card holder who has lived in the U.S. about 50 years was held eight days at San Francisco's airport, then months more in detention, despite diabetes and other health problems.San Francisco, CA · Sep 1, 2026 · San Francisco Chronicle, Standing Record, South Africa Portal
Everlee W.: Green card holder detained by CBP at LAX, shackled and denied foodEverlee Amelia Wihongi, a 37-year-old lawful permanent resident who has lived in the U.S. since age six, was detained at LAX returning from a family trip and shackled on a floor for 14 hours during transfers across four states.“This place no longer feels like home to us, especially after seeing how my daughter’s been treated,” — Betty Wihongi, her motherLos Angeles, CA · May 21, 2026 · KSL, The Guardian, New Zealand Herald +12
Milena A.D.: DACA recipient arrested by ICE right after her green card approvalMilena Araya-Davis, a 27-year-old therapist brought to the U.S. from Peru at age 4, was arrested right after her green card approval and held a week at Otay Mesa, sleeping on the floor.San Diego, CA · May 11, 2026 · NBC San Diego, CBS 8, Radio Bilingüe +1
Will K.: PhD candidate held a week by CBP at SFO, denied asthma medicationTae Heung "Will" Kim, a Ph.D. candidate researching a Lyme disease vaccine, was held over a week at SFO without a lawyer, his asthma medication, or a bed after returning from his brother's wedding.San Francisco, CA · Jul 29, 2025 · Korea Daily, Washington Post, Maeil Business Newspaper +7- Will K.: Ph.D. candidate held over a week at airport by CBPTae Heung "Will" Kim, 40, a Texas A&M Ph.D. candidate studying infectious disease, was held at San Francisco Airport for over a week without a lawyer after returning from his brother's wedding. He now faces a September 4 deportation hearing.San Francisco, CA · Jul 21, 2025 · Korean Quarterly, Seattle Times, Law & Crime
Rami O.: Doctor's husband with brain tumor held 13 days at L.A. ICE facilityRami Othmane, 36, married to a hospital chief medical officer, was held 13 days in a downtown L.A. ICE facility despite a brain tumor, then transferred to Arizona before release on bail.Los Angeles, CA · Jul 13, 2025 · Los Angeles Times, Associated Press, Billboard +2