A green card applicant who spent 26 days in what he called “inhumane” conditions has been released from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody and says he still loves the United States.
A senior Department of Homeland Security official told Newsweek that Rami Jilani Othmane, described as an illegal immigrant from Tunisia, was arrested by U.S. Customs and Border Protection on July 13. He was taken into custody at ICE’s Eloy Detention Center because his B-2 tourist visa had expired more than nine years ago.
“President [Donald] Trump and Secretary [Kristi] Noem are committed to restoring integrity to the visa program and ensuring it is not abused to allow aliens a permanent one-way ticket to remain in the U.S.,” the official said.
The official did not comment on Othmane’s release or the details surrounding it.
Why It Matters
Othmane, a Tunisian musician with a pending green card application, was arrested by federal immigration agents while driving to a grocery store in Pasadena on July 13.
His arrest raises concerns about federal authorities detaining individuals, even those with valid documents like green cards and visas, as part of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. Newsweek has documented many cases where green card holders and applicants were caught up in ICE raids.
What To Know
“I’m handling things well,” Othmane told ABC7 Los Angeles. “I’m just happy I’m back with my family. I’m happy I’m safe… I love this country. I never blame a country for mistakes that can happen. I just want these mistakes to not happen to anyone.”
Othmane, who must wear an ankle monitor and stay within 70 miles of Los Angeles, said he was worried about dying while in custody.
When immigration officials took him on July 13, he was in the middle of a FaceTime call with his wife, Dr. Wafaa Alrashid, a U.S. citizen and chief of staff at Huntington Hospital. Although he quickly showed his paperwork, Alrashid heard officials tell him, “Please step out of the car.”
“You don’t know who are these people following you,” Othmane told ABC7. “They are unmarked cars, so you don’t really understand who these people are.”
‘Huge Relief’
Alrashid told Newsweek that while her husband’s release is “a huge relief,” the ordeal isn’t over.
“It’s ongoing,” she said. “We’re still dealing with immigration hearings, and he has an ankle monitor on his left ankle.”
She described reuniting with him as “not your typical scene,” noting she had been driving between Los Angeles and Phoenix. They finally met in a hotel lobby.
“When I saw him, it was surreal,” Alrashid said. “I couldn’t believe I finally could see him in front of me. I could touch him, I could hug him.”
She said he was “tortured” for nearly 26 days—13 days in federal custody and another 13 in the ICE facility.
“He was disheveled, and I think it was hard for him because he wanted to be on the up-and-up,” Alrashid said. “But I didn’t care about any of that. During those 26 days, not having your loved one next to you and not knowing what could happen, no one really knows what that feels like. You literally feel like your heart’s been torn out of your chest.
“Seeing him now, I’ve been able to breathe, laugh, eat, and sleep because I personally suffered as well,” she added.
She also addressed the Trump administration.
“Our message is that we are law-abiding citizens, and we’ve followed the recommended path,” Alrashid said. “But despite applying and following the legal process, taking him in and holding him for 26 days is not part of the application process.
“We have no problem following the laws. However, this process needs to be humane. Holding people for 26 days as they did with Rami—and the first 13 without hygiene or proper conditions—is unacceptable and un-American.”
‘Inhumane’ Conditions Are ‘False’
Upon release, Othmane told ABC7 he had been sleeping poorly and went 13 days without brushing his teeth.
“These are inhumane conditions,” he said.
The Department of Homeland Security denied Othmane’s claims.
“Any allegations that detainees are not receiving medical care or are in ‘inhumane’ conditions are false,” a DHS official told Newsweek. “All detainees receive proper meals, medical treatment, and have opportunities to communicate with lawyers and family members.”
They said ICE provides medical, dental, and mental health screenings within 12 hours of arrival, a full health assessment within 14 days, access to medical appointments, and 24-hour emergency care.
“This is better healthcare than many aliens have received in their entire lives,” the official said. “Meals are certified by dieticians. Ensuring the safety, security, and well-being of individuals in our custody is a top priority at ICE.”
What People Are Saying
Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin previously told Newsweek: “Those who are in our country illegally have a choice—they can leave voluntarily or be arrested and deported. The United States taxpayer is generously offering free flights and a $1,000 to illegal aliens who self-deport. If they leave now, they preserve the opportunity to return legally. The choice is theirs.”
Dr. Alrashid wrote on her husband’s GoFundMe: “This is not just an immigration issue—this is a human rights crisis in downtown Los Angeles. My husband was subjected to 12 days of inhumane treatment in a federal building. He is not a criminal. He is a kind, peaceful man with an open immigration petition. He should be with his family, not sleeping on a concrete floor without medical care.”
What Happens Next
Othmane must follow federal laws as part of his release, including ongoing immigration proceedings and wearing his ankle monitor.
