Amiya Valentine, a prominent Hispanic student from Elizabeth, New Jersey, experienced a personal tragedy just three days before one of the most important moments of her life. On May 10, 2025, her husband was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents while on his way to work, despite being legally married to a U.S. citizen, with no criminal record and with his immigration proceedings pending.
The arrest occurred at 8:45 a.m. in Roselle Park when an unmarked car intercepted him. According to officers, he “matched the description” of a wanted person. Although it was later confirmed that he was not the suspect, he was arrested, the keys to the only family vehicle were confiscated, and he was transported to Delaney Hall Detention Center, operated by the private GEO Group in Newark.
Racial profiling
Professor Dr. Norma Bowe, Amiya Valetine’s mentor at Kean University, publicly denounced this as a case of racial profiling.
Bowe stated that Delaney Hall, despite being a civilian facility, operates as a maximum security prison.
Deportations are executed quickly due to its proximity to the airport.
“What happened was a violation of rights and an act of discrimination,” the teacher expressed on the GoFundMe page created to support Amiya Valentine and her husband.
Economic and emotional impact
Buzzy
The family is facing a severe financial crisis.
They have had to hire a lawyer specializing in deportations, at an initial cost of $8,000.
Amiya Valentine, who works as an ABA therapist, has had to limit her clients in order to cope.
The husband also lost his daily income, further affecting family stability.
“My father was our eyes, our legs and our hope,” Amiya wrote in her message, emphasizing that her husband was the main breadwinner and emotional support of the household.
Call to the Hispanic community
Amiya Valentine graduated magna cum laude in Public Health on May 13 and was accepted into a dual graduate program at Rutgers University.
What happened was a violation of rights
Dra. Norma Bowe
His story has touched the hearts of the U.S. Hispanic community, which has begun to mobilize.
“This is the time to act. To support a young couple who have done everything right. Who work hard, who study, who build a better future,” concludes the message on GoFundMe.
For more information, visit QuéOnnda.com.
