Johns Hopkins Researcher Released From ICE Detention After Community Support

A public health researcher at Johns Hopkins University was released from ICE detention after being arrested by immigration officials while boarding a domestic flight at Baltimore-Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport.

Dr. Fatima Ameaka, who is originally from Cameroon, entered the U.S. legally in June 2023 on a Fulbright Scholarship for studying her master’s in public health. The scholarship ended in June 2024, and Ameaka was hired as a research associate at Johns Hopkins in September of that year.

Ameaka was stopped and arrested by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The federal agency released a statement last Thursday that Ameaka had overstayed a visa. Ameaka’s arrest was despite a pending application for asylum with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Ameaka had a valid work authorization and was previously granted temporary protected status.

As of last Friday morning, Ameaka had been transferred from a detention center in Virginia to one in Louisiana.

ICE released Ameaka from a facility in Harlingen Texas late on August 1 and took her to a nearby hotel, said Benjamin Osorio, Ameaka’s attorney, when talking with CBS News.

According to Osorio, Johns Hopkins colleagues are flying to Texas to pick her up.

Osorio also told CBS News that Ameaka has a preliminary hearing scheduled for August 10 in Annandale. However, Osorio said he believes that hearing will get cancelled following a charge he filed for a change of venue to be closer to Ameaka’s home in Baltimore.

In a statement released Friday, Johns Hopkins spokesperson Doug Donovan said that while the university could not comment on the specifics of Ameaka’s situation, it is actively working to provide support for her and her defense.

“The university understands the fear and concern this instills in members of our community,” Donovan said.

A GoFundMe organized by Ameaka’s friend and Hopkins colleague, Sarah, quickly raised more than $40,000 with over 300 donors to help cover legal costs.

“We are asking for your help to stand with Fatima. She has dedicated herself to serving others, and now she needs us to rally around her,” Sarah wrote. “Any contribution, big or small, will help bring Fatima home and ensure she can continue her important work. Thank you for supporting Fatima and showing her the kindness she has always given to others.”