When Aminata Seck, a senior on Kentucky State University’s men’s basketball roster, cleared security at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on Aug. 7, she was immediately taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Seck, whose student visa had expired, was headed to New York for a team trip when the detention occurred.
Attorney raises concerns over medical care
Seck’s lawyer, Sadiqa Reynolds, told reporters that the player’s visa expiration likely coincided with a recent surgery. “She needs another operation for an Achilles tendon injury,” Reynolds said, adding that the lack of timely medical attention could jeopardize Seck’s health and athletic future.
Reynolds visited the Grayson County Detention Center on Sunday and was informed that Seck had been transferred to a hospital, but the facility’s name was not disclosed. “I would like to see Aminata myself to make sure that she is OK. We really need real‑time information about her health, and we need to make sure we’re sharing every bit of medical history that we can share with the medical professionals who are attempting to take care of her, and we are begging for her to have the best medical treatment possible,” Reynolds said.
Calls for transparency and humane treatment
The attorney’s request for transparency reflects broader concerns about how ICE handles detainees with ongoing medical needs. While the Department of Homeland Security has not responded to inquiries from local media, the situation underscores the challenges faced by international students caught in immigration enforcement actions.
Seck remains listed as a senior on the university’s athletics website, and her teammates and coaches have expressed support for her well‑being. The university has not issued a formal statement regarding the detention.
Legal context
Under current immigration law, individuals whose visas expire may be subject to removal proceedings, even if they are enrolled in U.S. institutions. Advocates argue that such enforcement actions should consider humanitarian factors, especially when detainees require ongoing medical care.
Reynolds plans to continue pressing ICE and the Department of Homeland Security for detailed information about Seck’s location and treatment plan, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding the health of a student‑athlete who contributes to the university and local community.
Original reporting: WLKY Louisville — read the source article.
