Medical assistant detained by ICE despite pending asylum petition
Mar 20, 2026·Location: Memphis, TN
Country of origin: Venezuela

Jose Valera Vera, a medical assistant at a Memphis clinic, was detained by ICE after traveling to Nashville for an immigration hearing. Vera, a former doctor from Venezuela seeking political asylum, was taken into custody at the hearing despite having a pending petition filed by his wife, who is a permanent resident. He has since been transferred to a facility in Mason, Tennessee.
Sources
- Local medical assistant detained by ICE despite pending petition
wmcactionnews5.com·Mar 20, 2026·archived copy
- Medical emergency turns into nightmare as ICE detains Mounds View couple en route to ER
www2.startribune.com·Jan 24, 2026·archived copy
- Attorneys: Altadena Resident Detained and Held by ICE Denied Critical Medication – Pasadena Now
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