Palestinian newlywed details harsh treatment in US Immigration detention

A 22-year-old Palestinian woman from Texas has spoken out after spending nearly five months in U.S. immigration detention following her honeymoon. Ward Sakeik, who has lived in the United States since childhood and is married to an American citizen, was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in February after returning to Miami from a trip to the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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Sakeik, who was born in Saudi Arabia but holds no official citizenship, had been awaiting a green card. Hoping to avoid international travel issues, she and her husband chose a U.S. territory for their honeymoon. Despite carrying documentation outlining her immigration status, she was detained upon arrival at the airport.

Now free, Sakeik recounted her experience during a press conference in Dallas-Fort Worth, describing long periods in handcuffs, transfers between facilities, and poor conditions in custody. She described the process as dehumanizing and emotionally distressing, saying it left her feeling stripped of her dignity.

ICE officials have defended their actions, stating that detainees receive adequate care, including meals, medical attention, and access to legal counsel and family contact. The Department of Homeland Security maintained that her detention followed standard procedure.

The case has drawn criticism from immigrant rights groups and raised concerns about the treatment of stateless individuals caught in the U.S. immigration system.