Pregnant South African detained by ICE at Las Vegas airport, held in Nevada detention centre

A pregnant South African woman, identified as Nqobile Malangeni, was detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas on July 31 while preparing to board a JetBlue flight to Connecticut.

Arrest at airport

According to IOL, video shared across US broadcasters shows Malangeni surrounded by ICE agents who told her they had a final order of removal because she had overstayed her authorised period of stay.

Where she is being held and travel details

Malangeni is being held at the Henderson Detention Center in Nevada. IOL reports she had travelled to Las Vegas to celebrate her birthday on July 27 and was preparing to return to Connecticut, where she lives with her fiancé, a former member of the US armed forces.

Fiancé’s reaction

Speaking to local media, Malangeni’s fiancé described himself as distraught and said the couple plan to get married. He voiced fear that he might not meet their child should Malangeni be deported. He said:

“I feel like there should be justice and another chance for us to be able to keep our family together, and especially, to be able to live normally just like everyone else that’s here.”

He also told reporters:

“I feel that in this case there should be some kind of understanding and justice because not all immigrants are trying to beat the system.”

The military veteran, who enlisted in 2013, called on the US government to release his fiancé. He told reporters that Malangeni entered the US a year and a half ago and said: “I feel that if we would’ve received the removal letter the right way and knew about it, this would’ve never been an issue to begin with.”

ICE removal process noted

IOL cites information from the ICE website explaining how Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) arranges returns once a person has received a final order of removal. The ICE text states that ERO “will arrange the subject’s return via chartered flight or commercial airline.” It adds:

“ERO uses contracted charter flights to transfer detainees throughout the United States to various ICE-managed detention facilities in preparation for removal, or to return individuals to their countries of origin. In addition, depending on geography, the number of persons being removed, and other case specifics, ERO also removes detained aliens via commercial airlines. Detainees may be escorted or unescorted on these commercial flights.”

Requests for comment

According to IOL, the publication has reached out to both ICE and South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) and said comments will be added once received.

About IOL

According to IOL, the website is one of South Africa’s leading news and information sites, bringing millions of readers breaking news and updates on politics, current affairs, business, lifestyle, entertainment, travel, sport, motoring and technology.