*A routine trip back to the U.S. turned into a nightmare for a Congolese-born Vermont woman who was arrested by ICE at the Canadian border over a recently updated marital status.
As NBC News reports, Esther Ngoy Tekele, a 24-year-old legal permanent resident and mother, was detained on July 6 after returning from a wedding in Canada. ICE claims she lied about her relationship status on her green card, marking herself “single” despite marrying just four days before reentry.
Tekele’s attorney, Nathan Virag, called the arrest highly unusual. “This is a person who’s never been in trouble with the law. Pays her taxes, strong community member, helps refugees and other folks coming in the country,” he said. “Usually, if you want to pursue removal proceedings, you can just issue what’s called a notice to appear.”
Her arrest led to several days of detention at Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility in South Burlington, during which she had no contact with her lawyer. Tekele was later released on a $7,500 bond.
Her brother, Coco Ngoy, recounted the incident, saying the entire family was stopped by U.S. Customs and held for hours before officers released everyone, except Tekele. “I can say we were treated like slaves,” he said, citing the officers’ disrespectful behavior.
Ngoy said they waited nearly 19 hours at the facility before he briefly left to get food. When he returned, Tekele was gone. With help from the Association of Africans Living in Vermont (AALV) and Rep. Becca Balint’s office, the family eventually found her in custody.
Tekele has lived in Vermont for four years, frequently visiting Canada, and serves as primary caregiver to her young son and her mother. Her family, along with AALV, is now urging community members and officials to support her legal fight.
“People who can make decisions, people who have the influence — I’m just asking them to step up and help,” Ngoy said.
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