Aminata Seck detained by ICE at Kentucky airport

Aminata Seck, a 26-year-old Senegalese graduate student and basketball player for Kentucky State University, is currently in immigration custody following her detention by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on August 7. The incident occurred at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport while Seck was traveling with her team to a tournament in New York.

Seck’s attorney, Sadiqa Reynolds, stated that the athlete may have missed a visa deadline while undergoing back surgery. Reynolds has criticized the detention conditions, noting that Seck has been transferred between four different facilities and has reportedly received inadequate medical care for serious injuries, including an ACL tear and a torn Achilles.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a statement noting that while Seck entered the country lawfully in 2019, she allegedly “chose to overstay her welcome in violation of our nation’s laws.” DHS also stated that Seck was receiving hospital treatment for her knee injury at the time of her detention.