After an initial meeting for headshots, Taahir Shaikh and Ward Sakeik ended up developing a close relationship that culminated in marriage. However, their honeymoon in the U.S. Virgin Islands took a dire turn when Sakeik was detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection upon their return. Despite living in the U.S. since childhood under an order of supervision due to her family's asylum application, Sakeik's status as a legally stateless person led to her ongoing detention and uncertainty about deportation, leaving her family in fear for her future.
Sakeik's detention highlights issues within the U.S. immigration system, especially regarding individuals who are legally stateless yet subjected to potential deportation.
Shaikh expressed deep concern for Sakeik's wellbeing, noting, 'She’s in a procedural black hole... They're saying 'when you were eight years old, you already were given your due process.'
The couple's honeymoon ended in tragedy, with Sakeik being detained at St. Thomas Airport without clear communication about her situation or impending deportation.
Despite her family's deep ties to the U.S. and legal history, Sakeik faces uncertainty as authorities attempt to deport her without proper notification.
Collection
[
|
...
]