He has a work permit, a coffee shop – and an ICE ankle monitor: ‘Is this America?’
Summary
Assim Alkhawaja, a Saudi national with a valid work permit and pending asylum case, was arrested by ICE while working as a ride-share driver in San Diego. Despite no criminal record and owning a coffee business, he was detained, fitted with a GPS ankle monitor, and must regularly check in with immigration officials as he faces possible deportation.Key Facts
- Assim Alkhawaja was arrested by ICE in February while dropping off passengers at Camp Pendleton.
- He has a valid work permit, no criminal convictions, a pending asylum case, and runs a coffee business.
- After arrest, he spent eight days in detention and then was placed on GPS ankle monitoring.
- The ankle monitor is typically used for high-risk parolees, such as sex offenders.
- Alkhawaja must report weekly to immigration officials through check-ins at the courthouse or home visits.
- ICE has removed over 16,000 people from the San Diego area between January 2025 and April 2026.
- Arrests of immigrants across the U.S. have increased since President Trump started his second term in 2024.
- ICE conducts arrests in various public places including courthouses, stores, military bases, and outside schools.
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