Man from Guinea detained by ICE agents outside immigration court in Lower Manhattan
A man from Guinea is now being held at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility after being detained outside immigration court in Lower Manhattan.
CBS News New York's Adi Guajardo spoke with his husband, who fears his partner could get deported and persecuted in his home country.
Mamadou faced persecution in Guinea
Three weeks after Mamadou got married and just days before Pride festivities, federal agents took him into custody outside of immigration court in Lower Manhattan.
"It was emotional. I was trying to be very strong for him," said Fitz Smith, Mamadou's husband.
Smith said they begged the judge to no avail.
"He spent probably 10 minutes pleading to the judge, like, you know, these are the consequences of me going back to my country. I'm [in] danger in my community," Smith said. "There are numerous reports from that ... from that area where LGBT people are persecuted on a regular basis, stoned, they're burned."
According to the Human Rights Campaign, same-sex marriage is legal in 38 countries, but in Guinea, homosexuality is illegal.
Smith said Mamadou fled Guinea in 2023 after his family found out he was gay. He then sought asylum in the U.S. and was picked up by border patrol in Lukeville, Arizona.
Once released, Mamadou made his way to New York, where the couple met.
"We went to our first Pride. We went to Queens Pride. We try to be a part of the community as best we can," Smith said.
Smith said he now fears for his husband's life.
"The judge dismissed his case and with the dismissal he fell on to what we call expedited removal," said Ravi Ragbir, executive director of the New Sanctuary Coalition.
Immigrants urged to get legal representation
The Trump administration's ramped-up immigration efforts have led to ICE arrests outside immigration courts. Attorneys say it's vital to seek legal advice and add that virtual hearings are an option in some cases.
"Very effective, depending on the kind of case you have. But you still need a lawyer that will return phone calls, or read the substance and build the case," immigration attorney Michael Wildes said.
Mamadou is now at an ICE facility in Texas, as Smith works to stop his deportation.
"I tell him, like, hold on to your faith, you know? I ask him if he's still praying. He still prays. I tell him I'm praying for him as well," Smith said.
Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin sent CBS News New York the following statement regarding Mamadou's case:
"[Mamadou], an illegal alien from Guinea, entered the United States under the Biden Administration and was released into the country. Secretary Noem is reversing Biden's catch and release policy that allowed millions of unvetted illegal aliens to be let loose on American streets. This Administration is once again implementing the rule of law.
"President Trump and Secretary Noem have a clear message to illegal aliens: LEAVE NOW. People, who are here illegally, can take control of their departure with the CBP Home App. The United States is offering aliens illegal aliens $1,000 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 American dream. If not, you will be arrested and deported without a chance to return."
