A Kentucky woman originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo was detained by federal authorities during an immigration interview in front of her 18-month-old child, according to her attorney. Armelle Bondonga, who entered the United States on a visa in 2013, was detained on August 12 during an immigration interview regarding her marriage-based application alongside her husband, an American citizen, and their young son, attorney Arianit Osmani told Newsweek on Monday. "She went to that interview because she and her husband were attempting to follow the legal process available to them and resolve her immigration status lawfully," Osmani said in a statement.
"Following that interview, Armelle was taken into ICE custody." Bondonga, of Louisville, had not attempted to elude authorities throughout the immigration process, Osmani said. "Quite the opposite: she voluntarily appeared before the government for an immigration interview as part of the process she and her husband were pursuing," Osmani said. "I do not want to speculate about ICE's motives or characterize the government's intentions.
What I can say is that the circumstances are deeply concerning, particularly given that Armelle was appearing for an immigration benefit interview and has a U.S.-citizen husband, a very young U.S.-citizen child, and a pending marriage-based petition." As Bondonga remains in federal custody, her husband, Terrance Bradshaw, is navigating the uncertainty of his wife's ongoing detention while continuing to provide for his family and caring for a young child. "He is now carrying responsibilities that they previously shared as a family," Osmani said. "At the same time, Armelle is experiencing that separation from inside a detention facility.
The situation has therefore placed a significant emotional and practical burden on the entire family." Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials said Bondonga legally entered the United States in September 2013 on a visa set to expire in March 2014. "She overstayed her welcome in violation of our nation's immigration laws, and under the Obama administration began accruing more than a decade's worth of unlawful presence in the United States," an ICE spokesperson told Newsweek in a statement. Bondonga later received a final order of removal from an immigration judge in November 2025, ICE officials said.
"She received due process," the agency's statement continued. "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 $2,600 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 Representative Nima Kulkarni, a Democrat who also works as an immigration attorney, accused ICE officials of treating Bondonga inhumanely and using her as a "political pawn" while in custody.
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