Godfrey Wade, a 65-year-old Army veteran, has spent the last three months at the Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin, Georgia, following his detention by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Wade, who emigrated to the United States from Jamaica as a teenager, has faced challenges in securing his citizenship for years. His detainment has raised significant concerns, particularly regarding how the immigration system interacts with those who have served in the military.
Wade’s troubles began in September when police stopped his vehicle for failing to use a turn signal. During the stop, authorities discovered he did not possess a current driver’s license or proper documentation as a citizen. Footage of his arrest was captured by his fiancée, April Watkins, which quickly drew public attention to his case.
Military Service and Career
Wade joined the Army in the mid-1970s, serving with the 7th Infantry Division and earning recognition for his conduct and wartime service while stationed in Aschaffenburg, Germany. After leaving the military, he built a diverse career, working as a fashion designer, master tailor, tennis coach, and chef. At the time of his detainment, Wade was employed at the Georgia Capitol Café.
Wade and Watkins had been actively pursuing Wade’s citizenship status prior to his arrest. “We had an attorney, but it’s a very expensive endeavor; the cost is astronomical,” Watkins noted. Despite their efforts, Wade found himself facing deportation after a lifetime of contributions to American society. “For 52 years I’ve lived in this country and raised my children, worked hard, paid my taxes,” Wade stated during a phone call from detention. “A lot of the processes of immigration I didn’t know about. I’m learning more while I’m in here.”
Conditions Inside the Detention Center
Wade described the conditions in the Stewart Detention Center as challenging. He reported spending nearly two weeks sleeping on a makeshift bed on the floor due to overcrowding. “We don’t have any bunk space,” he explained. The facility’s sanitation facilities are also inadequate, with only two working urinals available for 80 detainees. Wade expressed concern about dodging sewage water while waiting for his turn to use the bathroom.
According to records from the Office of Detention Oversight (ODO), the Stewart Detention Center had numerous deficiencies noted during its last inspection, including health and safety issues and inadequate access to phone services. The ODO requires a 12-to-1 detainee-to-toilet ratio, a standard that the facility does not meet.
Legal protections for undocumented veterans have shifted in recent years. A directive issued by the Biden administration in 2022 instructed ICE agents to consider a veteran’s status during deportation proceedings, provided they lack violent criminal histories. In light of concerns for veterans like Wade, over 60 Democratic Congress members signed a letter urging federal authorities to disclose information on veterans who have been detained or deported. A response initially due by September 16, 2025, has yet to be received.
Wade’s detainment has put a strain on his family. He has six children and three grandchildren, all of whom are struggling to understand his absence. His daughter, Christian, noted the difficulty of explaining to her children why their grandfather is not present. “It’s been hard trying to communicate why granddad is not available,” she said. “He doesn’t want them to see him behind that plexiglass.”
Despite his current situation, Wade maintains a sense of loyalty to the country he served. “If I didn’t believe this country is still great, I wouldn’t want to stay here,” he asserted. He expressed a desire for his case to be heard in court, hoping for a chance to present his story. Unfortunately, he has yet to see a judge, and his attorney informed him that he is still waiting for a deportation hearing.
Watkins, who is deeply concerned about Wade’s future, hopes that his case will lead to renewed discussions about the treatment of non-citizen veterans. “If you served this country, you deserve a chance to stay in this country,” she remarked, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the sacrifices made by veterans like Wade. The situation remains unresolved, and Wade continues to hold onto hope for a future in the country he has called home for over five decades.
