IOWA CITY, Iowa—In a significant development following a recent surge in federal funding, four employees of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have been detained. The individuals are currently held at the Linn County Jail, as reported by the advocacy group Escucha Mi Voz.
The detentions occurred after Congress approved a $70 billion increase in funding for both ICE and Border Patrol on June 9.
Escucha Mi Voz, an organization focused on immigration advocacy, provided the information regarding these incidents.
Ozgur Demircan Detained in Iowa City
On June 25, ICE agents arrested 30-year-old Ozgur Demircan in an apartment located in Iowa City. Demircan, a Turkish citizen, has resided in Iowa on a student visa since 2018. He returned to the United States in 2022 amid the ongoing conflict between Türkiye and Ukraine and has stayed since then.
Caitlin Domino, an organizer for Demircan’s GoFundMe campaign, expresses concern for his future, fearing that he could be compelled to join the military if he returns to Turkey. “Ozgur has worked hard to earn the trust of the Iowa City community. He is intelligent and compassionate, with aspirations of studying medicine. He has no wish to return to fight in a war he opposes,” Domino stated.
Rosenna Nazia Ali from Butler County
On June 17, ICE apprehended Rosenna Nazia Ali, a Fijian national, after locating her at a motel in Allison, Iowa. Previously, Ali was an international student at the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago and later worked at Allison Bible Church, all while on a student visa.
Her family, who have been in the U.S. since 2017 for educational purposes, report that Rosenna and her sister, Sharon, are from a missionary family. “Rosenna is dedicated, kind, and always strives to help others. She aims to become a mental health counselor focused on aiding trauma survivors. She has no criminal record and would not face any charges if detained,” said Sharon Ali, who also leads the family’s GoFundMe initiative.
Detention of Guatemalan Nationals in Waterloo
On June 8, ICE detained two Guatemalan nationals, José Alejandro Coquemax Solovido and José Luis Mejía López, at their workplace and residence in Waterloo. Details surrounding their arrests are currently limited.
Community Concerns Raised
Rogério Lagunas, a member of Escucha Mi Voz, expressed concerns about ICE’s enforcement actions. “These detentions reveal a troubling trend where ICE focuses on immigrants who have deep community ties, including former international students, workers, and long-term residents in Iowa,” he stated.
Lagunas emphasized, “The individuals in custody are not violent criminals; they are our neighbors, coworkers, classmates, and members of our churches. Our community must intervene to prevent families from being torn apart.”
KCRG has reached out to Immigration and Customs Enforcement for further comments regarding these detentions.
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