Esteemed Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett,

As concerned citizens and advocates for immigrant rights, we are writing to implore your immediate intervention in the case of Ward Sakeik, a young 22-year-old Palestinian-American whose detention by immigration authorities is of grave concern to us. Ward, who has been an exemplary member of our community, is currently facing imminent deportation. Her removal from the United States would not only break apart her family but also disrupt her life and dreams that she has diligently pursued here.

On February 2025, Ward was detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) upon her return from her honeymoon, despite presenting valid ICE check-in documentation. She has since been held for over 120 days in various detention centers, including El Valle and Prairieland, under imminent threat of deportation without clarity on the destination country.

Ward was born in Saudi Arabia to a stateless Palestinian family meaning she holds no citizenship or passport to any part of the world. After 14 years of residency in Dallas, TX, deporting her to a country where she has no legal status, or where she faces potential persecution, is a clear violation of her basic human rights and international asylum protocols. It would also separate her from her husband, a U.S. citizen, and abruptly sever her educational and professional contributions to the local community including her work with the University of Texas at Arlington, her own thriving wedding photography business, and the community she built in Dallas. After 14 years of building a life here, Ward has a pending green card application, where she finally has a path to obtain citizenship herself. 

Ward's situation highlights larger systemic issues within our immigration system, which need urgent reform. Her imminent deportation underscores the dire consequences of a system that fails to consider the nuances and humanitarian aspects of individual cases. Ward is not just another statistic; she is a beloved daughter, a loving wife, a friend, and a vibrant part of our community who deserves the chance to continue her life in the United States.

We urge you to make a public statement denouncing Ward’s detention and pending deportation. Additionally, we call upon you to seek a temporary suspension of her deportation order while her case can be reviewed more carefully. Your position as a representative committed to justice and equality places you in a unique position to bring change not only in Ward's life but also in addressing broader immigration concerns.

Your support could set a precedent for cases similar to Ward's, emphasizing the importance of compassion and due process within our immigration practices. We trust in your ability to act swiftly and effectively, and we stand ready to provide further information and support to assist you in your efforts to secure Ward’s release.

Please act with urgency as time is of the essence.

Jasmine Crockett Contact

1825 Market Center Blvd. Suite 440
Dallas, TX 75207

(214)-922-8885
jasmine.crockett@mail.house.gov

Sign this petition to demand justice for Ward Sakeik.