Georgia Veteran Faces Deportation After 52 Years in U.S.

Godfrey Wade, a 65-year-old Army veteran, has been detained at the Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin, Georgia, for over three months as part of a crackdown on illegal immigration by U.S. authorities. Wade, who emigrated to the United States at the age of 13, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following a minor traffic stop on September 15, 2023.

During the traffic stop, officers discovered that Wade did not possess a valid driver’s license. This led to the revelation that he was not documented as a citizen. The incident was documented by Wade’s fiancée, April Watkins, who filmed his detention.

Veteran’s Journey and Contributions

Wade joined the Army in the mid-1970s and served with the 7th Infantry Division in Aschaffenburg, Germany. Throughout his military career, he earned both good conduct and wartime service medals. After leaving the Army, he pursued various careers, including roles as a fashion designer, master tailor, tennis coach, and chef. At the time of his arrest, Wade was preparing food at the Georgia Capitol Café.

Both Wade and Watkins had been in the process of seeking legal citizenship, but they faced significant financial barriers. “We had an attorney, but it’s a very expensive endeavor; the cost is astronomical,” Watkins explained. “Still, he did make the effort. We did a lot of things to make sure this day would not come, and yet here we are.”

Wade expressed his disbelief at the current situation. “For 52 years I’ve lived in this country and raised my children, worked hard, paid my taxes,” he stated. “A lot of the processes of immigration I didn’t know about. I’m learning more while I’m in here.”

Conditions at the Detention Center

Since his detainment, Wade has described the conditions at the Stewart Detention Center as troubling. He reported sleeping on a makeshift bed on the floor for nearly two weeks due to overcrowding. “We don’t have any bunk space,” he said. “We’re given what we call boats, and those are placed on the floor with a two-inch mat.”

The facility reportedly has only two working urinals for approximately 80 detainees, forcing Wade to navigate unsanitary conditions, including sewage water on the floor. According to a report by 11Alive, the Office of Detention Oversight (ODO) identified 12 deficiencies at the center during its last inspection. These included issues related to health and safety, phone access, and food service.

Legal protections for undocumented veterans have diminished in recent years. A directive from the Biden administration in 2022 instructed ICE agents to take veteran status into account before deportation, particularly for those without violent criminal backgrounds. Despite this, more than 60 Democratic Congress members have expressed concern and requested documentation on veterans who have been deported or detained, but as of December 2023, no such list has been provided.

Wade’s family has struggled with the emotional toll of his detainment. He has six children and three grandchildren, and visits have been infrequent. “It’s been hard trying to communicate why granddad is not available,” said his daughter, Christian. She noted the difficulty of explaining his absence to her young children, who have a close relationship with their grandfather.

Wade remains hopeful about his situation, despite the challenges. “If I didn’t believe this country is still great, I wouldn’t want to stay here,” he remarked. “I shed my blood for this country. I can live with myself if I just have a day in court so somebody can hear my story.”

As Wade awaits a hearing to plead his case, he has not yet been assigned a case agent. His past experiences suggest he received a notice of hearing in 2014, but it was sent to the wrong address. Watkins hopes that Wade’s circumstances can lead to renewed discussions about protections for non-citizen veterans. “If you served this country, you deserve a chance to stay in this country,” she asserted, emphasizing the need for consideration of veterans’ service and sacrifices.