Nanny Reveals 30-Day ICE Nightmare After Airport Arrest
Nanny Detained by ICE at Philadelphia Airport Returns Home After Month in Custody
What Happened?
Imagine you’re at the airport, excited for a trip to watch the World Cup. Suddenly, government officers stop you, put you in handcuffs, and take you away to a detention center far from home. This is exactly what happened to Iliana Lick, a nanny from Argentina who has lived and worked in Philadelphia for two years.
IMPORTANT POINT
Iliana was not charged with a crime. She was detained for a civil immigration violation—overstaying her visa—while she had a pending asylum application.
The Arrest at the Airport
On July 11, Iliana was at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), ready to fly to Kansas City for a World Cup match. Here’s what happened next:
- ICE officers approached her at the airport.
- She was arrested and taken into custody.
- She was transferred multiple times between different ICE detention centers.
- She ended up in a facility in New Mexico—over 1,700 miles from Philadelphia.
ELI5: What is ICE?
ICE stands for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. It’s a U.S. government agency that enforces immigration laws. They can detain people who they believe are in the country without proper permission.
Life in Detention: A "Nightmare"
Iliana spent one month in federal custody. She described the experience as a "roller coaster of emotions" and a "nightmare."
Conditions She Faced:
- Held in a small jail cell with nine other people
- Only one window and one toilet for everyone
- Constant crying—she felt scared, sad, and confused
- No clear explanation of why this was happening to her
In Her Own Words:
"I was like crying and crying and crying because it felt so, so wrong… I didn’t do anything wrong. It was really heartbroken."
Why Was She Arrested? Two Different Stories
There are two sides to why Iliana was detained:
Government’s Version (Department of Homeland Security):
- Iliana overstayed her visa
- She entered on a tourist visa and stayed longer than allowed
Iliana’s Version:
- She came to the U.S. on a tourist visa
- She received an extension (permission to stay longer)
- She has a pending asylum application (asking for protection because it’s unsafe to return to Argentina)
- She has worked as a nanny in Philadelphia for two years
- She says she has never been in the country illegally
ELI5: What is Asylum?
Asylum is protection given by a country to someone who has fled their home country because of danger—like war, persecution, or violence. While their application is being decided, they are usually allowed to stay in the U.S.
Release and Current Situation
After a month, Iliana was released on July 28—but with strict conditions:
Release Conditions:
- $10,000 bond (money paid to guarantee she’ll show up for court)
- Must wear an ankle monitor (electronic tracking device)
- Had to surrender her passport and driver’s license
- Waiting for a court date to decide: deportation or permission to stay
Her Biggest Fear Now:
"I’m still kind of concerned if they’re going to put me in jail again… if it’s going to get disconnected or for some reason it’s not working and they are going to knock on my door and take me back."
What Happens Next?
Iliana is now back in Philadelphia, staying with friends, and waiting for her immigration court hearing. At that hearing, a judge will decide:
| Possible Outcomes | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Granted Asylum | She can stay legally, get a work permit, and eventually apply for a green card |
| Denied Asylum but Allowed to Stay | Other forms of relief (like cancellation of removal) |
| Ordered Deported | She would have to leave the U.S. (she can appeal) |
Summary
- Iliana Lick, an Argentine nanny living in Philly for 2 years, was arrested by ICE at PHL airport on July 11.
- She spent 30 days in detention, including time in a New Mexico facility with poor conditions.
- DHS says she overstayed her visa; she says she had an extension and a pending asylum case.
- She was released on $10,000 bond with an ankle monitor, no passport/license, and a pending court date.
- She fears being re-detained and calls the experience a "nightmare."
- Her case highlights that ICE detention isn’t only for criminals—regular workers with pending cases can be caught up too.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
1. Can ICE arrest someone at the airport even if they have a pending asylum case?
Yes. Having a pending asylum application doesn’t automatically protect you from detention. ICE can still detain you if they believe you’re removable (e.g., visa overstay). However, you have the right to see an immigration judge.
2. What is an ankle monitor, and why does she have to wear one?
An ankle monitor is a GPS tracking device locked around your ankle. ICE uses it to track a person’s location 24/7 instead of keeping them in a detention center. It’s a condition of release—like "house arrest" but you can go to work, appointments, etc., within allowed areas.
3. Does overstaying a visa make you a "criminal"?
No. Overstaying a visa is a civil violation, not a crime. You can’t be put in criminal jail for it. But ICE can detain you civilly (in immigration detention) while they decide whether to deport you.
4. What happens at an immigration court hearing?
An immigration judge (not a criminal judge) hears your case. You can present evidence (like your asylum application, proof of life in the U.S., danger in your home country). The judge decides: stay or go. You have the right to a lawyer, but the government does not provide one for free.
5. Can she be deported while her asylum case is still pending?
Technically, yes—if the judge denies her asylum and any other relief. But she can appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals, and then to federal court. During appeals, she usually stays in the U.S. unless she’s deemed a flight risk or danger.
Final Thought: Iliana’s story shows how confusing and scary the immigration system can be—even for people trying to follow the rules. Whether she stays or goes will be up to a judge, but for now, she’s home, wearing a monitor, and hoping the "nightmare" doesn’t return.