Aminata Seck, a women’s basketball player at Kentucky State University, has been released from ICE custody on bond after two months, according to her attorney and statements made at a news conference.
Seck, who is from Senegal, was arrested Aug. 7 at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. The Department of Homeland Security said she entered the United States legally in 2019 “on a temporary basis” but missed an immigration hearing in September 2025, which led a judge to order her removal. DHS referred to Seck as an “illegal alien” and said she “chose to overstay her welcome in violation of our nation’s laws.”
An immigration judge set her bond at $2,500, and Seck is now home.
Seck is dealing with a torn ACL and meniscus and had been scheduled for surgery before her arrest. That surgery was postponed during her time in custody. Her attorney, Sadiqa Reynolds, said at the news conference that Seck “did not regularly receive treatment in custody.”
Seck said she spent a week in isolation after refusing to remove a knee brace she was wearing for the injury.
“By myself in that room, with nobody — just me and myself, looking at the wall, no books or anything,” Seck said, according to KFVS.
DHS disputed the characterization of her treatment in a statement to Fox News Digital: “It is a longstanding practice to provide comprehensive medical care from the moment an alien enters ICE custody. This includes medical, dental, and mental health services as available, and access to medical appointments and 24-hour emergency care. Illegal aliens also have access to phones to communicate with their family members and lawyers. This is the best healthcare than many aliens have received in their lives.”
U.S. Rep. Morgan McGarvey, D-Ky., spoke at the news conference on Seck’s behalf.
“She has no criminal record, but ICE grabbed her from her team and threw her in a jail cell for two months,” McGarvey said.
DHS also pointed to its broader deportation policy in its statement, saying: “Being in detention is a choice. We encourage all illegal aliens to take control of their departure with the CBP Home App. The United States is offering illegal aliens $3,000 and a free flight to self-deport now. We encourage every person here illegally to take advantage of this offer and reserve the chance to come back to the U.S. the right legal way to live the American dream. If not, you will be arrested and deported without a chance to return.”
Kentucky State University and ICE did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Seck played in 20 games last season for Kentucky State, starting 17 of them, and averaged 11.9 points and 7.7 rebounds per game.
“I’m just ready to go back to school, get my master’s and get this surgery done,” Seck said at the news conference.
Her immigration case remains open, and she is expected back in court next month.
