Husband of Outstanding New Jersey Student Detained by ICE Days Before Her Graduation

• Student’s Husband Detained by ICE
• Community Demands Justice
• Investigations Ongoing

What was meant to be a week of celebration and pride for Amiya Valentine turned into one of the most painful experiences of her life, after ICE agents detained her husband three days before her graduation.

Amiya, a young student from Elizabeth, New Jersey, graduated with honors in Public Health on May 13—a milestone she dedicated to her community, her family, and her story of perseverance.

However, her achievement was overshadowed by the unjust detention of her husband, who was arrested on his way to work despite being legally married, having an ongoing immigration case, and no criminal record.

“He was simply driving to work when he was literally kidnapped,” said one of Amiya’s teachers via Facebook and GoFundMe, denouncing what appears to be a clear case of racial profiling.

Amiya Valentine’s Detained Amid Racial Profiling and Public Outcry

Amiya Valentine’s husband was taken to Delaney Hall, a private detention center in Newark, where, according to visitors, conditions are poor and the treatment of detainees is dehumanizing.

The arbitrary detention took place on the Saturday before her graduation, and instead of enjoying her ceremony, Amiya left early to visit her husband in the facility.

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“She decided to attend the graduation. But she left early… she had her cap and gown. She needed to see him. She needed to be with him,” wrote her teacher, who has led a campaign to support the young couple.

Reports from visitors describe Delaney Hall as having alarming conditions: 4 to 6 men per cell, minimal food portions, issues with shower water, unsanitary surroundings, and persistent obstacles to visiting detainees.

Delaney Hall: Inhumane Conditions and Militarization

“The air smells awful. It’s nearly impossible to recover confiscated belongings. There’s an armored vehicle outside. Armed agents. People crying. People scared. And the guards… laughing, high-fiving. No empathy,” reads the testimony from her teacher.

Amiya Valentine, described as an exemplary student, has faced the situation with remarkable strength despite the pain, powerlessness, and uncertainty surrounding her husband’s future.

“She has grown so much since Saturday. We never know what we’re capable of until we have no choice,” said her mentor, who expressed how proud she felt seeing Amiya in her cap and gown.

Since the detention, members of the academic community and local organizations have begun mobilizing to offer legal and financial support to Amiya, whose legal costs have quickly become unmanageable.

Solidarity, Strength, and a Graduation Gown as a Symbol

“I’m a mother. A mother’s broken heart is pain for all of us. We need to make noise. We need to be clear. This will not stand. This must end,” said the woman who has stood beside Amiya Valentine throughout the ordeal.

The situation has sparked outrage not only over the apparent ICE error but also over the treatment of detainees and the ongoing criminalization of racialized individuals navigating legal immigration processes.

Amiya now faces not only the emotional anguish of being separated from her husband during such a symbolic moment, but also a sudden financial crisis that threatens her future and stability.

At just 23 years old, Amiya represents thousands of young people who, despite adversity, continue to fight for a better future—confronting a system that too often turns its back on them, as noted in her GoFundMe page.