Full Breakdown
Samuel Sey Detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Over Visa Overstay After Publicly Supporting Deportations
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: ICE Detention and Pending Removal
On October 21, 2026, Samuel Sey, a 39-year-old Ghana-born Christian commentator, was arrested at Columbus International Airport in Ohio and placed on an ICE hold. He is being held at the Butler County Jail in Hamilton, Ohio, and, according to a U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson, will remain in ICE custody until he is removed from the United States. The DHS statement says Sey entered the United States legally in 2022, overstayed his authorized period by more than four years, has no pending immigration applications, and has accepted voluntary departure.
Background & Context
Sey immigrated to Canada as a child, later moved to the United States in 2022, and married an American citizen in Ohio. He runs the blog “Slow to Write” and contributes to conservative outlets such as The Daily Wire, The Blaze, and Turning Point USA. He has repeatedly defended ICE and described deportations as “the Christian thing to do.”
Data & Statistics
- Visa entry year: 2022 (DHS).
- Overstay duration: over four years (DHS).
- Age at detention: 39 years (multiple sources).
- Fundraising: a GiveSendGo campaign launched by former Babylon Bee managing editor Joel Berry raised more than $24,000 to assist Sey’s family.
Official Statements & Responses
- The agency added, “We do not pick and choose which laws to enforce or where to enforce them.”
Criticism & Opposition
Supporters dispute the DHS characterization of Sey’s status.
- Joel Berry, who organized the GiveSendGo fundraiser, described the situation as a “clerical issue” and said the funds would cover legal fees to “get to the bottom” of what happened.
These statements frame the detention as a bureaucratic mistake rather than a violation of immigration law.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- DHS claim: No pending immigration applications; Sey has accepted voluntary departure.
- No criminal charges have been filed against Sey.
- As of the scheduled date October 26, 2026, there is no public confirmation that Sey has departed the United States or that a removal flight has been arranged.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We do not pick and choose which laws to enforce or where to enforce them.” — The DHS spokesperson
What’s Next
The DHS statement indicates that Sey will remain in ICE custody until his removal is completed, but no definitive departure date has been announced. The scheduled checkpoint on October 26, 2026 will determine whether any public update on his status is provided.