Armelle Bondonga, a longtime resident of Louisville, Kentucky, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on August 12, 2026 during what was supposed to be the final step in her marriage‑based green card process. Bondonga and her husband, a U.S. citizen, appeared voluntarily for the scheduled interview with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), but ICE agents arrested her at the facility.
Background and family ties
Bondonga arrived in the United States from the Democratic Republic of the Congo as a child in 2013 with her family. She is married to a U.S. citizen, and the couple is raising a 19‑month‑old child who was born in the United States. Community leader Sadiqa Reynolds noted that the child was present when ICE took Bondonga into custody, describing the incident as an “absolute nightmare” for the family.
Immigration history
According to Bondonga’s attorney, Arianit Osmani, the mother’s immigration record is complex. As a child, she was listed as a derivative family member in asylum proceedings initiated by her father. ICE records indicate that her original visa expired in 2014, and under the Obama administration she began accruing more than a decade of unlawful presence in the United States.
ICE also states that Bondonga received a final order of removal from an immigration judge in November 2025. Despite that order, she continued to pursue a lawful path to permanent residency by filing a marriage‑based petition (Form I‑130) with USCIS, which remains pending.
Legal response
Osmani emphasized that Bondonga was not attempting to evade authorities. “She voluntarily appeared with her husband for the scheduled USCIS interview to pursue her marriage‑based immigration case through the lawful process,” he said. He added that multiple immigration matters are now being handled by separate counsel, and that he is coordinating with other attorneys to ensure Bondonga receives due process.
The attorney also noted that the husband’s Form I‑130 petition is still under review, and that additional legal matters related to Bondonga’s earlier asylum case are ongoing.
Current detention
After her arrest, Bondonga was transferred to the Clark County jail in Jeffersonville, Indiana. Her family and community supporters continue to advocate for her release and for a fair resolution of her immigration case.
Community reaction
Local leaders, including Reynolds, highlighted Bondonga’s deep ties to Louisville. She volunteers in community programs and is regarded as an active member of the neighborhood. The incident has raised concerns about the impact of immigration enforcement on families who are law‑abiding and have U.S. citizen children.
While the case proceeds through the courts, the Bondonga family remains hopeful that the pending marriage‑based petition will eventually lead to lawful permanent residency, allowing them to reunite fully and continue contributing to their Louisville community.
Original reporting: WPBF West Palm Beach — read the source article.
