Georgia Army Veteran Faces Deportation After ICE Detention

A Georgia Army veteran, Godfrey Wade, has been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for the past three months, raising concerns about the treatment of veterans in immigration enforcement. Wade, who has lived in the United States for 52 years, was arrested in September after a minor traffic stop revealed he lacked proper documentation.

Wade, who emigrated from Jamaica as a teenager and later served in the Army, was apprehended when police stopped his vehicle for failing to use a turn signal. During the stop, officers discovered that Wade did not possess a valid driver’s license and was not documented as a U.S. citizen. His fiancée, April Watkins, recorded the incident, which has since garnered significant media attention.

Veteran’s Journey and Detention Conditions

Wade joined the Army in the mid-1970s and was assigned to the 7th Infantry Division, where he served in Germany. After leaving the military, he built a diverse career as a fashion designer, master tailor, tennis coach, and chef. At the time of his arrest, he was employed at the Georgia Capitol Café. Both Wade and Watkins had been working with an attorney to secure his legal citizenship prior to his detention but felt overwhelmed by the costs involved. “The cost is astronomical,” Watkins stated, emphasizing their commitment to navigating the legal process.

From his phone calls in detention, Wade expressed disbelief at his situation. “For 52 years I’ve lived in this country and raised my children, worked hard, paid my taxes,” he said. He described the conditions at the Stewart Detention Center as dire, highlighting a lack of adequate sleeping space and unsanitary conditions. “We don’t have any bunk space,” Wade noted, explaining that he had to sleep on the floor for nearly two weeks due to overcrowding.

Reports from 11Alive reveal that the facility has serious deficiencies, including inadequate sanitation and insufficient access to basic amenities. The Office of Detention Oversight (ODO) identified 12 violations during its last inspection, including health and safety issues and improper detainee-to-toilet ratios.

Legal Status and Family Impact

Historically, undocumented veterans have had some protections against deportation, particularly under a directive issued by the Biden administration in 2022. This directive instructed ICE agents to consider a veteran’s status before taking action, provided they do not have violent criminal records. Concerns over deportations have led over 60 Democratic Congress members to request records of veterans who have been detained or deported. Despite these efforts, deadlines for providing this information have repeatedly been missed.

Wade’s family is struggling with the emotional toll of his detention. He has six children and three grandchildren, and his daughter, Christian, described the experience as heartbreaking. “It’s been hard trying to communicate why granddad is not available,” she said. The separation is particularly difficult for Wade’s grandchildren, who are accustomed to seeing him every weekend.

Despite the challenges, Wade remains hopeful about his situation. He emphasized his belief in the country he served, stating, “If I didn’t believe this country is still great, I wouldn’t want to stay here.” Wade is still waiting for a court date to present his case, having been informed that his deportation proceedings were underway. A notice of hearing he allegedly received in 2014 was sent to the wrong address, complicating his legal standing further.

Watkins is advocating for change, hoping that Wade’s experience will highlight the need to protect non-citizen veterans. “If you served this country, you deserve a chance to stay in this country,” she asserted, underscoring the importance of recognizing the sacrifices made by those who have served.

As Wade awaits his fate, the situation underscores broader issues regarding the treatment of veterans in the immigration system and the urgent need for reform that honors their service.