A Kentucky State University women’s basketball player was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and her lawyer says she now needs surgery for a torn Achilles while in federal custody.
Aminata “Amina” Seck, 26, was traveling with Kentucky State to New York for a tournament when she was taken into custody Aug. 7 after going through airport security, according to Sadiqa Reynolds, a lawyer helping coordinate Seck’s case and former president and CEO of the Louisville Urban League, the Louisville Courier Journal reported.
Seck is a graduate student at Kentucky State and came to the United States on a student visa to play basketball from Senegal, Reynolds said.
Reynolds said she believes Seck may have missed an immigration deadline while undergoing back surgery, the newspaper reported.
Since contacting Reynolds on Sept. 16, Seck has been transferred to multiple detention facilities, according to Reynolds.
Reynolds said Seck is now dealing with a torn Achilles and needs surgery. She also said Seck has had difficulty receiving consistent medical attention while in custody.
“She needs surgery. She needs medical attention,” Reynolds said in a social media post. “She was arrested at the airport while traveling with the team. Kentucky State has done what they can and now we must step up.”
She also thanked Kentucky State women’s basketball coach Amani Williams for her support.
“God bless. Keep praying. Keep fighting,” Reynolds said.
ICE has not publicly commented on the situation.
Kentucky State also declined to provide details about Seck’s case.
“Out of respect for the privacy of those involved, Kentucky State University does not have information to share,” a university spokesperson said in a statement to The Courier Journal.
Seck remains in custody as her immigration case moves forward.
