Arrested at PHL: Nanny Reveals Month-Long ICE Nightmare
Nanny Detained by ICE at Philadelphia Airport Shares Her Story After Month in Custody
What Happened?
Imagine you’re at the airport, excited for a trip to watch a World Cup soccer game. Suddenly, government agents stop you, put you in handcuffs, and take you away. You don’t get to go to the game. Instead, you spend the next 30 days locked up in detention centers hundreds of miles from home.
This is exactly what happened to Iliana Lick, a nanny from Argentina who has lived and worked in Philadelphia for two years.
The Timeline: Step by Step
- July 11 – Iliana arrives at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) for a flight to Kansas City
- At the airport – ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) officers arrest her
- Days following – She is moved between multiple detention centers
- Final stop – A facility in New Mexico, far from her home in Philly
- Early August – Released on $10,000 bond with strict conditions
- Now – Back in Philadelphia, wearing an ankle monitor, waiting for a court date
What Was Detention Like?
Iliana described her time in the New Mexico facility as scary and heartbreaking:
"I was like crying and crying and crying because it felt so, so wrong… It felt so sad. I’m like, I didn’t do anything wrong."
Conditions she experienced:
- Overcrowded cell – Shared with nine other people
- One toilet for everyone
- Only one window in the entire room
- Constant fear and confusion – Not knowing what would happen next
Why Was She Arrested? Two Different Stories
| Government’s View (DHS) | Iliana’s View |
|---|---|
| She overstayed her visa | She entered on a tourist visa and got an extension |
| She has a pending asylum application (request for protection) | |
| She has worked as a nanny in Philly for 2 years | |
| She says: "I’m not a criminal" |
Important: Having a pending asylum application means she legally asked the U.S. government for permission to stay because she fears danger in her home country. This process can take years.
What Happens Now? The Conditions of Her Release
Iliana is not free and clear. To stay out of detention while she waits for her court date, she must:
- Pay a $10,000 bond (like a deposit – she gets it back if she follows all rules)
- Surrender her passport and driver’s license
- Wear an ankle monitor (GPS tracker) 24/7
- Stay at her approved address
- Show up to all court hearings
Her Biggest Fear: "Will They Come Back?"
Even though she’s home, Iliana lives with daily anxiety:
"I’m still kind of concerned if they’re going to put me in jail again… I have a fear if [the ankle monitor] is 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."
[!IMPORTANT]
Key Takeaways
- ICE arrests aren’t only for people with criminal records – Iliana had no criminal history
- Visa issues and asylum cases are civil matters, not crimes
- Detention conditions can be harsh – overcrowded cells, limited facilities
- Release on bond comes with strict monitoring (ankle tracker, surrendered documents)
- The legal process continues – a judge will eventually decide if she can stay or must leave
Summary
Iliana Lick, a nanny from Argentina living in Philadelphia for two years, was arrested by ICE at the airport on July 11 while traveling to a World Cup match. She spent a month in detention centers, including a facility in New Mexico with difficult conditions. The government says she overstayed her visa; she says she had a valid extension and a pending asylum case. She was released on $10,000 bond but must wear an ankle monitor, surrendered her passport and license, and awaits a court date that will decide her future in the U.S. Her story highlights how immigration enforcement affects people with no criminal record who are actively seeking legal status.
FAQ: Questions You Might Have
1. What is ICE?
ICE stands for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. It’s a federal agency under the Department of Homeland Security that enforces immigration laws inside the United States.
2. What does "overstaying a visa" mean?
When someone enters the U.S. legally (on a tourist, student, or work visa) but stays past the expiration date without getting an extension or changing their status.
3. What is asylum?
Asylum is protection granted to people already in the U.S. who fear persecution in their home country due to race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. Applying for asylum is a legal right under U.S. and international law.
4. Why was she detained if she has a pending asylum case?
Having a pending asylum case does not automatically prevent detention. ICE can still detain people while their cases are processed, though policies vary by administration.
5. What happens at her court date?
An immigration judge will hear her case. She can present evidence for her asylum claim. The judge will decide: grant asylum (she stays), order removal (deportation), or another form of relief. She has the right to appeal.
This article is based on reporting by CBS News Philadelphia. All quotes and details come from their original coverage of Iliana Lick’s case.