California nurse Ann Lawani was arrested by ICE on September 16 during a targeted enforcement operation in Lodi. The 13‑year resident, who worked as a nurse and assistant professor at the University of San Francisco, now faces removal after a final order of deportation issued in 2013.
ICE Arrest Sparks Political Reaction
Lawani entered the United States legally in 2007 on a temporary visa and remained after her visa expired, staying unlawfully for six years before the removal order was entered. She has maintained authorized employment and complied with immigration requirements, according to a letter sent by California Rep. Josh Harder to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin in October.
An immigration judge previously blocked her deportation to Nigeria, ruling that she would likely face persecution, Harder said. The decision relied on evidence that she would suffer serious harm if returned.
ICE transferred her through multiple states to a detention facility in Louisiana without notifying her attorney, a claim Harder made in his letter. Family and legal counsel struggled to locate her because ICE’s online detainee locator did not reflect her whereabouts.
DHS did not respond to questions about the court order or the alleged violation, and a spokesperson told Fox40 that work authorization does not confer legal status. The agency emphasized that employment rights are separate from immigration status.
Critics note that her long‑term presence and professional credentials do not override the final deportation order issued in 2013. They argue that the law applies equally regardless of occupation or political affiliation.
