Johns Hopkins researcher released after being detained by ICE at airport

A researcher from Johns Hopkins University, Fatima Ameaka, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at Baltimore Washington International Airport for allegedly overstaying her visa, which expired in June 2024. Originally from Cameroon, Ameaka is a respected member of the university community, working at the Bloomberg School of Public Health. Despite having a work permit valid until 2029 and a pending asylum case, she remains in ICE custody in Louisiana. The university is providing her with legal support, and a GoFundMe page has been created to assist with her legal defense. Her arrest follows a new federal push to increase visa overstay arrests at airports. Ameaka’s colleagues, including Dr. Tom Inglesby, describe her as a talented and beloved member of their team. QUESTION: How might increased immigration enforcement at airports impact international students and researchers in the U.S.?