Georgia Army Veteran Deported to Jamaica After Five Months in ICE Custody
A Georgia Army veteran deported to Jamaica this week had spent more than five months in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention, his family confirms, even as legal appeals were ongoing and supporters urged authorities not to remove him from the United States.
Godfrey Wade, a Jamaican-born lawful permanent resident who came to the U.S. as a teenager and served honorably in the U.S. Army, was placed on a deportation flight after being held for months by federal immigration officials.
Godfrey Wade, a Jamaican-born lawful permanent resident and military veteran who was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. | Supplied
Family, Lawyers and Advocates Say the Deportation Was Too Soon
Wade’s lawyer and loved ones have been fighting to reopen his case and secure his right to a hearing before an immigration judge, saying that Wade never received proper notice of earlier court dates that led to a removal order.
His daughter described the deportation as devastating for the family, which includes six children and grandchildren who live in the United States. They say Wade has built a life in America and that his decades of service should count in his favor.
Godfrey Wade. (Pix via Christian Wade / SWNS)
What Led to the ICE Detention and Deportation
Wade was taken into ICE custody following a traffic stop in Conyers, Georgia, last year when he was arrested for a minor driving violation. Federal authorities then detained him based on a removal order from 2014 tied to old offenses including a bounced check and a simple assault plea.
His attorney argues that Wade was never properly notified of the hearing connected to that order, meaning he never had the chance to explain his situation to a judge.
A Life and a Career Built in the United States
Wade entered the United States legally in 1975 as a teenager and later served in the U.S. Army’s 7th Infantry Division, earning an honorable discharge. He lived for decades in Georgia as a lawful permanent resident, working in various jobs and contributing to his community.
Family members say his military service and life in the U.S. deserve consideration, and that decades-old legal matters should not define his right to stay.
Appeal Still Active but Deportation Proceeded
Even as his attorney filed an appeal to reopen his case, Wade was placed on an ICE flight to Jamaica. His legal team had warned that deportation could slow the appeal process because immigration courts tend to prioritize cases when the person remains in the United States.
Wade’s family says they will continue fighting the deportation and appeal, even now that he has been removed from U.S. soil.
Broader Questions About Deporting Veterans and Due Process
Wade’s case has drawn attention to how immigration enforcement affects non-citizen veterans, especially those who have served in the U.S. military and lived in the country for decades. Advocates say such deportations raise questions about fairness and due process in immigration law.
Experts note that non-citizens can legally serve in the U.S. armed forces, but service does not automatically grant citizenship.
