Johns Hopkins Researcher Held by ICE at Airport Sparks Alarm
WHO:
ABC News - Fatima Ameaka has a doctoral degree in pharmacy and is an employee at the Bloomberg School of Public Health.
ABC News - Dr. Tom Inglesby described Ameaka as "an amazing person, she is really smart. She's committed and she is funny."
ABC News - Fatima Ameaka, a Johns Hopkins University researcher from Cameroon.
ABC News - Dr. Tom Inglesby, director of the Center for Health Security at Johns Hopkins School of Public Health.
ABC News - Johns Hopkins University, where Ameaka is employed.
WHAT:
[1:00 PM] - WBAL-TV - Fatima Ameaka was released from custody on Friday night but is now in removal proceedings.
[1:00 PM] - WBAL-TV - An online fundraiser for Ameaka has collected more than $40,000 to cover legal expenses.
ABC News - Ameaka's arrest comes days after a memo detailing federal immigration authorities' new efforts to ramp up arrests at airports of individuals who have allegedly overstayed their visas.
ABC News - Fatima Ameaka was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers at Baltimore Washington International Airport.
ABC News - Ameaka overstayed her visa, which expired on June 13, 2024.
ABC News - Ameaka is currently being held at the Alexandria Staging Facility in Louisiana.
ABC News - Ameaka had a work authorization permit valid until 2029 and a pending asylum case.
ABC News - A GoFundMe page has been set up to help with her legal defense.
WHERE:
ABC News - Baltimore Washington International Airport, where Ameaka was detained.
ABC News - Alexandria Staging Facility in Louisiana, where Ameaka is being held.
WHEN:
ABC News - Ameaka's visa expired on June 13, 2024.
ABC News - Ameaka was detained earlier in the week from the time of the article's publication.
WHY:
[1:00 PM] - WBAL-TV - U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen stated that Ameaka is not the "worst of the worst," and deporting her does not enhance safety.
ABC News - Ameaka was detained for allegedly overstaying her visa, which is considered a violation of U.S. immigration laws.
HOW:
ABC News - Ameaka was detained as she was boarding a domestic flight.
ABC News - ICE agents arrested Ameaka at the airport as part of new efforts to ramp up arrests of individuals who have allegedly overstayed their visas.
(UPDATED August 1, 2026 19:20 UTC)
Fatima Ameaka was released from custody but is now facing removal proceedings. An online fundraiser has successfully raised over $40,000 to help cover her legal expenses. U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen has spoken out, stating that Ameaka is not the "worst of the worst," and that deporting her does not enhance safety.
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(UPDATED August 1, 2026 16:21 UTC)
Fatima Ameaka, who holds a doctoral degree in pharmacy and works at the Bloomberg School of Public Health, was recently arrested while attempting to board a domestic flight. Dr. Tom Inglesby praised her as "an amazing person," highlighting her intelligence, commitment, and sense of humor. This incident follows a memo outlining new efforts by federal immigration authorities to increase arrests at airports of individuals who have allegedly overstayed their visas.
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(UPDATED August 1, 2026 14:25 UTC)
Fatima Ameaka, a researcher at Johns Hopkins University, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers at Baltimore Washington International Airport for allegedly overstaying her visa, which expired on June 13, 2024. Currently, she is being held at the Alexandria Staging Facility in Louisiana, despite having a work authorization permit valid until 2029 and a pending asylum case. A GoFundMe page has been established to assist with her legal defense as ICE ramps up efforts to arrest individuals who have overstayed their visas.