Judge Orders Release of Detained Ugandan Woman with Sickle Cell

U.S. District Judge Rebecca Grady Jennings ordered the release on bond of Sarafinah Bukirwa, a Ugandan nonprofit director and asylum seeker, after she was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on July 22 at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. Bukirwa, who had overstayed a visa that expired in 2024, was transported to the Grayson County Detention Center in Leitchfield, Kentucky.

Bukirwa's family and U.S. Representative Morgan McGarvey alleged she was denied lifesaving medication for sickle cell anemia for over 24 hours and suffered physical abuse, including being stripped in front of male officers. Her physician warned that the lack of care put her at risk of stroke, organ damage, and death. Representative McGarvey described the conditions as nauseating and issued an urgent records request for body camera footage and medical logs from ICE officials.

Grayson County Jailer Jason Woosley refuted the claims, stating Bukirwa received all prescribed medications. Despite these contradictions, a federal habeas corpus motion led to a court order for her release. Bukirwa's $1,500 bond was paid on July 31, concluding the federal lawsuit against the jail once her physical release was confirmed.