Monica R.: Nurse detained 15 days by ICE during Disneyland trip
Monica Ryadi, a 30-year-old nurse who fled religious persecution in Indonesia as a child, was detained by ICE at LAX in front of her young son and held two weeks before a judge ordered her release.
Oct 15, 2026Los Angeles, CACountry of origin: Indonesia

Monica Ryadi, a 30-year-old registered nurse at Riddle Hospital in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, was detained by plainclothes ICE agents at Los Angeles International Airport on September 15, 2026, while traveling with her husband, Steven Sary, and their 3-year-old son, both U.S. citizens, for a Disneyland vacation. Ryadi, who fled religious persecution in Indonesia with her family at age 9, was handcuffed and shackled in front of her son, and court filings state officers threatened to place the child in protective services. She had been granted Withholding of Removal in 2010, which her attorney says protects her from deportation and had allowed her work authorization, a Social Security number, a REAL ID, and homeownership, but DHS maintains she is subject to a final removal order. She was held for 15 days at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center, where she was told she could be deported to a third country since a court ruled she cannot be returned to Indonesia, before a federal magistrate judge ordered her release on September 29 following a habeas corpus petition, placing her under GPS ankle monitoring. She completed a required check-in in Philadelphia accompanied by about 20 supporters, including clergy and U.S. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, and said, 'This is my home. I built a life here.' Ryadi is now seeking removal of the ankle monitor, which she says interferes with medical equipment she uses at work, and says she fears being separated from her family again.
“He experienced the whole thing. Me being cuffed and had to walk away with these groups of men God knows where.”
Timeline
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Sources
- Pennsylvania nurse detained by ICE during Disneyland vacation fights to remain in U.S.
CBS News·Oct 15, 2026
- Delco nurse detained by ICE on Disneyland trip; Philly supporters rally
6ABC·Oct 16, 2026·archived copy
- A Delco nurse arrested by ICE on her way to Disneyland faces first check-in. ‘I thought I was going to be redetained.’
Philadelphia Inquirer·Oct 15, 2026
- PennLive
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- Pa. nurse arrested by ICE on her way to Disneyland faces first check-in: ‘She’s not a criminal’
Everlit·Oct 16, 2026
- A Delco nurse has lived legally in the U.S. since childhood. ICE arrested her as she took her 3-year-old son to Disneyland.
Philadelphia Inquirer·Oct 2, 2026
- ICE Detains Delco Hospital Nurse During Her Family's Trip To Disneyland
Patch·Oct 2, 2026·archived copy
- 'I thought I was safe': Delco nurse detained by ICE during family Disneyland trip
NBC Philadelphia·Oct 8, 2026
- Delco nurse detained by ICE at LAX during family trip to Disneyland
U.S. Friends of the World·Oct 12, 2026
- Update for The Sary-Ryadi Family: Monica shares her story with Shaira
- Delaware County nurse detained by ICE during Disneyland vacation with husband, 3-year-old son
MainlineNow·Oct 9, 2026
- A nurse’s family trip to Disneyland ended with 15 days in ICE detention
The Rebel Yellow·Oct 7, 2026
- Scanlon: Delco nurse stopped by ICE on way to Disneyland has checked in on ankle monitor
Delco Times·Oct 19, 2026
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