Age 65 or older
People 65 and older detained or deported
Documented cases describe people age 65 and older detained by ICE at check-ins, airports, and even while buying coffee or feeding stray cats, in cities including Aurora, Miami, Gardena, Tacoma, and Nashville. Some were shackled and transferred long distances, held for months with declining health, pepper-sprayed, or deported to Jamaica, Mexico, or a third country rather than their home nation. First documented in February 2025, this pattern became recurring by June 2025 and has held a roughly steady share of reported cases since, peaking in September 2026.
First documented Feb 2025, recurring since Jun 2025.
Share of each month's well-documented stories, Jan 2025 to Oct 2026. Volume is not shown: coverage grew over the record, shares did not have to.
55 stories in 17 states. What accompanies this practice →
“I said to the tow truck driver, 'You know, you should be ashamed of yourself, working for ICE,' and he got crazy,”
Arizona
California
Chang Yeon C.: 71-year-old woman detained by ICE at green card interview, restrained and hospitalizedChang Yeon Cho, 71, known as 'Auntie Jo,' ran a clothing alteration business in Gardena before ICE detained her at her green card interview; she was later restrained and hospitalized for eight days.Gardena, CA · Sep 10, 2026 · Korea Daily (English), Chinese Daily, 52 HRTT +1
Diabetic permanent resident held eight days by CBP at San Francisco airportA 67-year-old green card holder who has lived in the U.S. about 50 years was held eight days at San Francisco's airport, then months more in detention, despite diabetes and other health problems.San Francisco, CA · Sep 1, 2026 · San Francisco Chronicle, Standing Record, South Africa Portal- Florence J.: Diabetic 72-year-old asylum seeker held by ICE, went days without medicationA 72-year-old Nigerian asylum seeker with diabetes and a psychotic disorder was detained at LAX and held 27 days at Adelanto without a hearing, going days without her medication. A judge ordered a bond hearing within a week.Los Angeles, CA · Jul 14, 2026 · CourtListener
77-year-old man with liver disease held in ICE solitary against doctors' adviceA 77-year-old Iranian man with a rare liver disease was held in solitary confinement at Otay Mesa and lost 10 pounds over six weeks. A judge ordered his release in January.San Diego, CA · Jun 24, 2026 · KPBS, iNews Source
Rafie Ollah S.: 79-year-old U.S. citizen tackled by ICE agents suffers brain injuryRafie Ollah Shouhed, 79, a U.S. citizen and Van Nuys car wash owner who had recent heart surgery, was tackled and had a knee pressed on his neck during a September raid, suffering broken ribs and a brain injury.Los Angeles, CA · May 21, 2026 · ABC News, Latin Times, ABC News +11
Genaro G.U.: 72-year-old man detained by ICE while driving to work in Lodi, CaliforniaGenaro Gonzalez-Uribe, 72, was pulled over by unmarked vehicles while driving to work in Lodi and taken to a Kern County facility. His family says he has no criminal record and worries about his health.Lodi, CA · Apr 1, 2026 · KCRA, Lodi News
Doug H.: 80-year-old defense attorney pepper-sprayed, tackled by ICE agents in Santa BarbaraDoug Hayes, an 80-year-old defense attorney, was pepper-sprayed and tackled by ICE agents in Santa Barbara after intervening in the arrest of a 27-year-old man. He plans to sue.Santa Barbara, CA · Feb 25, 2026 · CBS News, Santa Barbara Independent, KEYT +2
Alberto C.: Diabetic 73-year-old landscaper with heart disease detained by ICE in West HollywoodAlberto Cabral, 73, a landscaper who has lived in the U.S. since age 15, was detained while working his regular route in West Hollywood. He supports his 97-year-old mother and wife and has heart disease and diabetes.West Hollywood, CA · Jan 16, 2026 · Westside Today, La Opinión, NBC Los Angeles +1
Luis Y.C.: Honduran grandfather, 68, dies in ICE custody after chest pain went undiagnosedLuis Beltran Yanez-Cruz, a 68-year-old Honduran grandfather living in the U.S. for decades, died January 6 in ICE custody after weeks of untreated chest pain and vomiting. His family learned only after he died.Indio, CA · Jan 6, 2026 · KESQ, News Review, My News LA +8
Harjit K.: 73-year-old Sikh grandmother denied medication, deported after ICE detentionHarjit Kaur, 73, a Sikh grandmother who lived in Hercules for over 30 years with no criminal record, was detained at a routine ICE check-in and deported to India without saying goodbye.“They just said we are detaining your grandma and didn't give me any other information, didn't let me see her. And after that, we didn't hear from her for hours and when we did hear from her, she was crying and begging us for help,” — Sukhmeet SandhuBerkeley, California · Sep 22, 2025 · NBC Bay Area, ABC7, Richmond Side +7
Marlon S.C.: Stateless 65-year-old wheelchair user detained by ICE at asylum interviewMarlon Gerardo Sáenz Cruz, 65, a wheelchair user with glaucoma and polio complications, was detained at what he believed was an asylum interview after fleeing persecution in Nicaragua; he now faces possible removal.Los Angeles, CA · Aug 17, 2025 · Associated Press, ABC News, Divergentes +1
Barbara S.: 71-year-old U.S. citizen held 8 hours by ICE at San Diego courthouseBarbara Stone, 71, a U.S. citizen and volunteer legal observer, was handcuffed and held over eight hours at a San Diego federal building after an agent accused her of pushing, a claim she denied. No charges were filed.San Diego, CA · Jul 10, 2025 · NBC News, NBC San Diego, Legal Clarity +2
Adrian M.: 20-year-old U.S. citizen shoved, jailed while helping elderly worker at WalmartAdrian Martinez, 20, a U.S. citizen Walmart employee, was detained after trying to help an elderly coworker being arrested; footage disproved claims he hit agents, but he still faces a felony charge.Pico Rivera, CA · Jun 22, 2025 · NBC Los Angeles, FOX 11 Los Angeles
Legal resident since 1967 held nearly 9 months by ICEA 66-year-old legal resident since 1967 and longtime legal assistant was detained at San Francisco airport returning from visiting his son, an Air Force member, in Japan. He was freed after nearly nine months and returned home to San Diego.San Francisco, CA · May 7, 2025 · Day of Law, Best Cricket Names, AS Lawsuit +2
Colorado
Edward N.: Priest, 78, held by ICE 13 months, untreated illnessEdward Nalwamba, 78, a Ugandan priest living in Colorado over two decades, was freed after 13 months in ICE detention, having to be carried out after losing the ability to walk.Aurora, CO · Oct 20, 2026 · CBS News, indcatholicnews.com
William O.R.: Man with dementia held by ICE, then lost five hours in DenverWilliam Ortiz-Rivera, a man in his 70s with dementia, was released from Aurora ICE Processing Center before 8 a.m. without notice to his attorney, then lost for five hours in 83-degree Denver heat.Aurora, CO · May 11, 2026 · Denver Post, CBS News
Florida
Fernando V.P.: 61-year-old Cuban green card holder deported after Miami airport arrest by ICEA 61-year-old Cuban and Guatemalan citizen living in Kendall, Florida was arrested at Miami airport and deported in August 2026, accused of concealing government ties when he obtained his green card.Miami, FL · Sep 6, 2026 · Breitbart News, ICE, WLRN +7
Julio B.: Miami mechanic, 72, deported to Tapachula, Mexico, after 46 years hereJulio Borrell, 72, a Cuban mechanic in Florida since 1980 and father of seven, was deported to Tapachula, Mexico after 46 years here. He now patches tires on the street, saving to rent a room.“I'm in a place called Tapachula, Chiapas” — Julio BorrellMiami, FL · Aug 26, 2026 · Latin Times, Cuba Headlines, CiberCuba +1
Paul B.: Sanford grandfather detained by ICE after 70 years in U.S.Paul John Bojerski, 79, a Polish-born refugee who lived in the U.S. for over 70 years, was detained after a routine check-in over a 1968 deportation order. His family says his health has worsened in custody.Sanford, FL · Jul 2025 · Orlando Sentinel, Press Democrat, The Oakland Press +1
Isidro P.: Cuban man, 75, dies in ICE custody a day after hospital dischargeIsidro Perez, 75, a Cuban man who came to the U.S. in 1966, died June 26 after 21 days at Krome detention center following chest pains, the fifth death in ICE custody in Florida since January 2025.Miami, FL · Jun 26, 2025 · Physicians for Human Rights, Miami Herald, Cuba Headlines +3
Alonso C.: 72-year-old Cuban man with work permit arrested while playing dominos in MiamiAlonso C., 72, a Cuban man in the U.S. for 46 years with a valid work permit, was arrested by masked agents while playing dominos in Miami and sent to Krome, then Camp East Montana.“I have never felt racism the way I have felt it inside this camp. When I first got here the guards told me, “When you get to El Paso, Texas, there’s no going back. You’re only getting out deported or dead.”” — Javier C.Miami, FL · 2025 · Human Rights Watch
Georgia
Godfrey W.: Army veteran and green card holder deported to Jamaica with appeal pendingGodfrey Wade, 65, an Army veteran and father of six, was deported to Jamaica while his appeal was pending and was later hospitalized for pneumonia. A Georgia judge has since voided the old conviction behind his case.Covington, GA · Oct 5, 2026 · Military.com, NYC Carib News, Military.com +8
Abelardo A.D.: Construction worker dies during ICE transfer in GeorgiaAbelardo Avellaneda Delgado, 68, a construction worker who lived in the U.S. for 40 years, died being transferred to Stewart Detention Center; his family says he had no prior health conditions.Weston, GA · May 5, 2025 · The Guardian, NPR, Latin Times +3
Idaho
Illinois
Rebecca P.: 70-year-old green card holder with kidney disease held by ICE, deportation haltedRebecca Pinyerd, a 70-year-old Filipina resident of over 40 years, had her deportation flight cancelled after airline officials found her too medically unfit to fly. She remains detained at Clay County Jail with no new deportation date set.Chicago, IL · Jan 6, 2026 · Asian Journal, CBS News, Queonda Magazine
67-year-old U.S. citizen suffers six broken ribs in Chicago Border Patrol operationA 67-year-old U.S. citizen was pulled from his car and beaten by Border Patrol agents in Chicago, suffering six broken ribs and internal bleeding during a Halloween parade preparation.Chicago, IL · Oct 25, 2025 · The Independent, New York Post, Star Trek Website +4
Federal agents deploy tear gas in Chicago Irving Park neighborhoodFederal agents deployed tear gas in Chicago's Irving Park and Avondale neighborhoods, detaining a landscaper, a tortilla delivery driver, and an elderly resident, allegedly violating a judge's order limiting such force.Chicago, IL · Oct 25, 2025 · Chicago Tribune, CBS News, ABC7 Chicago +2
Dana B.: Air Force veteran, 70, pushed down and arrested at Broadview ICE protestDana Briggs, a 70-year-old Air Force veteran with no prior criminal history, had charges dismissed after being pushed to the ground during a September protest outside the Broadview ICE facility.Broadview, IL · Oct 4, 2025 · NBC Chicago, CBS News
Kansas
Louisiana
- Akram O.: 77-year-old Palestinian green card holder re-arrested by ICE, defying judge's orderAkram Mahmoud Omar, 77, a Palestinian-born resident of 50 years who suffered a heart attack in custody, was re-arrested and nearly deported despite a judge's release order; a second order freed him again.Bossier City, LA · Jun 8, 2026 · The Guardline, NOLA.com, The Intercept
Marie-Thérèse R.: 86-year-old widow with heart problems held 16 days by ICEMarie-Thérèse Ross, 86, a French widow, was detained at her Alabama home and held 16 days after her husband died amid an estate dispute with his stepsons. French diplomats intervened and secured her release and return to France.Louisiana, LA · Apr 25, 2026 · The Guardian, Latin Times, WSLS +13
Michigan
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
Pennsylvania
Tennessee
Hasan B.: 81-year-old Iranian immigrant held seven months by ICE, attorney says health declinedHasan Besharat, 81, an Iranian immigrant and engineer who came legally in 1974, was freed after seven months in detention where his health declined to barely 100 pounds.“For somebody like that who is a person of great importance to the community and did what he had to in order to comply with the government’s requirements, what happened to him was an absolute tragedy,” — Brandon Viele, immigration attorneyNashville, TN · Sep 3, 2026 · Action News 5, FOX 13 Memphis, WREG +2
72-year-old man wrongly marched from Memphis home in robe and underwearA 72-year-old man was marched outside his apartment in only his robe and underwear after being mistaken for someone else during a Memphis task force operation.Memphis, TN · Oct 15, 2025 · ProPublica, MLK50
Texas
Félix A.R.: 63-year-old Mexican man dies days into ICE custody in Laredo, TexasFélix Alcorta Rodríguez, 63, died June 19, 2026, after being found unresponsive in his cell at Webb County Detention Center days after being transferred into ICE custody; his death prompted calls for investigation.Laredo, TX · Jul 13, 2026 · Austin Kocher, CNN, KGNS +1
Adrian F.: 85-year-old German man dies in ICE custody after eight months hospitalizationAdrian Andreas Florian, an 85-year-old German man, died in Texas after nearly eight months hospitalized in ICE custody with dementia and other health issues. He is the 21st person to die in ICE custody in 2026.Harlingen, TX · Jun 24, 2026 · Austin Kocher, ICE, AM Quickie +1
San Juanita G.: Green card holder, 73, with heart condition held three weeks by ICESan Juanita Guerra, 73, a longtime legal resident with heart and kidney conditions, was detained over a 1994 firearm conviction and held three weeks with limited medical care before release on bond.Edinburg, TX · Mar 2, 2026 · Valley Central, Border Report, Telemundo 40
Pete M.: Filipino legal resident dies after 284 days in ICE custodyPete Sumalo Montejo, 72, a lawful permanent resident since age nine, died December 5 after 284 days in Texas ICE custody. He had undergone heart surgery, dialysis and burn care before suffering cardiac arrest.Conroe, TX · Dec 5, 2025 · Physicians for Human Rights, MuckRock, Lives Deaths Stories +2
Martin G.: 66-year-old cancer survivor with partial lung removal denied care for monthsMartin G., a 66-year-old Cuban cancer survivor with part of a lung removed, says he was denied medical care for months while detained, then put in solitary confinement after a hunger strike.El Paso, TX · September 2025 · Human Rights Watch
Sergio G.S.: Chef deported after 36 years in U.S., held captive in MexicoSergio Garcia Silva, 65, a chef who once catered for President Bush's staff, was deported after 36 years over a 1989 order, then held captive by an extortion group in Mexico.Waco, TX · Jun 1, 2025 · Newsweek, The Mirror, Texas Tribune +2
Washington
Zoilo V.: Asylum seeker, 66, detained by ICE buying coffee, sent shackled to TexasZoilo Viloria, 66, a Colombian asylum seeker working in building maintenance in Tacoma, was handcuffed buying coffee and shackled during transfer to a Texas detention facility, his daughter said.Tacoma, WA · Sep 4, 2026 · Infobae, Telegraph, El País Colombia +2
Karen N.: 65-year-old British tourist with valid visa held 42 days by ICEKaren Newton, a 65-year-old British tourist with a valid visa, was held 42 days in Tacoma with her husband after trying to cross into Canada. She said she had no criminal record.Tacoma, WA · Sep 2025 · The Independent, Business Standard, Evening Standard +2
Location not tied to one state
Orville E.: Jamaican green card holder deported to Eswatini, isolated in maximum-security prisonOrville Etoria, 62, a Jamaican green card holder who earned a theology degree and worked at a shelter after completing his sentence, was deported to Eswatini instead of Jamaica and held in isolation at a maximum-security prison.“Before his shocking deportation, Mr. Etoria had been living in New York, following the law and reporting regularly to ICE under an order of supervision. When ICE [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] asked him to obtain a Jamaican passport earlier this year, he complied. But instead of removing him to Jamaica, as his documentation clearly allowed and as common sense would dictate, the U.S. government inexplicably and illegally sent him to Eswatini,” — his attorney, Mia UngerMatsapha, Eswatini · Oct 8, 2026 · El País, Third Country Deportation Watch, American Immigration Council +4
62-year-old Dominican man held by ICE since September 2025A 62-year-old Dominican man has been held by ICE since September 2025 after finishing a state sentence. The Supreme Court will decide whether he's entitled to a bond hearing.Sep 27, 2026 · Fox News, Reuters, Daily News Cycle +1
Jean Claude A.: Haitian-born Florida man, 68, faces denaturalization for alleged fraud in naturalization processJean Claude Alfred, 68, of Delray Beach, Florida, faces a Justice Department lawsuit to revoke his 1994 citizenship over concealed crimes, part of a push targeting over 400 people.Jun 8, 2026 · U.S. Department of Justice, Le Floridien
Deportees shackled for 69 hours on ICE charter flight through Southeast AsiaDeportees including elders and people with disabilities were shackled at the wrists, waists and ankles for over 69 hours on a charter flight from Guam through Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, with little room to move.Guam · May 8, 2026 · Magzter, Gillian Brockell
Elderly Cuban deportees abandoned in Mexico without support, thousands strandedAbout 6,000 Cuban nationals, many elderly after decades in the U.S., have been deported to Mexican cities like Tapachula and Villahermosa with no notice or support, left facing poverty and homelessness.Tapachula, Mexico · Apr 4, 2026 · Los Angeles Times, Quixote Center, El País +3
Alberto R.: 73-year-old Cuban man with stroke deported to Mexico, sleeps in parksAlberto Rodríguez, 73, who lived in the U.S. nearly 50 years, was deported to Mexico and now sleeps in parks, using a cane after a stroke, with no work or medical care.Villahermosa, MX · Mar 26, 2026 · Seattle Times, english-elpais-com.cdn.ampproject.org, AOL +1
Ricardo P.O.: Cuban man, 67, deported to Mexico dies after repeated hospitalizationsRicardo del Pino Olivera, a 67-year-old Cuban man, was deported to Mexico in July 2025 after serving a prison sentence and struggled to get care or documents. He died of cancer in February 2026, his nationality listed as unknown.Villahermosa, MX · Feb 21, 2026 · english-elpais-com.cdn.ampproject.org, Human Rights Watch
Antonio V.L.: Colombian former priest denaturalized for concealing criminal history, ordered deportedAntonio Velez-Lopez, a 69-year-old former priest, was stripped of his citizenship and sentenced to a year in prison for falsifying his immigration paperwork. He was ordered deported to Colombia after completing his sentence.Feb 28, 2025 · Fox News, U.S. Department of Justice, Modesto Bee