California Doctor's Immigrant Spouse Arrested by ICE
An ICE officer oversees an immigration enforcement operation, 2019. Photo courtesy of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Public domain.
Dr. Wafaa Alrashid's heart raced as she watched in horror over FaceTime. Her husband, Rami Othmane, a Tunisian musician and singer with a pending green card application, was driving to a grocery store in Pasadena when federal immigration agents pulled him over. Despite his immediate presentation of legal paperwork, the agents showed no leniency. They demanded he step out of the car and took him into custody. What followed was a harrowing ordeal that has since sparked protests and raised questions about the treatment of immigrants, even those who are legally navigating the system.
A Sudden Arrest in Broad Daylight
The scene unfolded on a summer day in July 2025. Othmane, who has lived in the United States since 2015, was stopped by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents while driving. His wife, Dr. Alrashid, a U.S.-born chief medical officer at Huntington Hospital, was on a video call with him when the agents ordered him to exit the vehicle. She recalled the chilling moment when the officers said, "Please step out of the car," according to Newsweek, and then watched helplessly as her husband was taken away.
Othmane reportedly overstayed his initial visa, but a deportation order against him was dismissed in 2020. The couple married in March 2025 and promptly filed for his green card. According to family, ICE agents blocked Othmane's car, did not show a warrant, and did not identify themselves during the encounter, as reported by Newsweek. Despite this, the arrest came as part of a broader immigration crackdown in Southern California, where hundreds have been detained, including legal permanent residents and even some U.S. citizens, according to SRN News.
The Human Cost of Bureaucratic Rigidity
Following his arrest, Othmane was held in a detention facility in downtown Los Angeles under conditions that his wife described as "inhumane" and "dehumanizing," according to Newsweek. She explained that he was kept in a freezing cold room without beds, pillows, blankets, soap, toothbrushes, or toothpaste, and that the bathroom was open to the room, offering no privacy. These conditions have been a source of deep concern for Othmane's family, especially given his chronic pain and untreated tumor.
Dr. Alrashid has spoken out about the toll the ordeal has taken on her husband and their family. "This is not just an immigration issue—this is a human rights crisis happening in downtown Los Angeles. My husband has been subjected to 12 days of inhumane treatment in a federal building. He is not a criminal. He is a kind, peaceful man with an open immigration petition. He should be with his family, not sleeping on a concrete floor without medical care," she wrote in a post on GoFundMe, as reported by Newsweek.
ICE Position and Public Response
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin confirmed to Newsweek that Othmane's tourist visa expired over nine years ago and that he "will remain in custody at ICE's Eloy Detention Center pending his removal proceedings."
DHS released a statement to KABC saying, "Any allegations that detainees are not receiving medical care or conditions are "inhumane" are FALSE. All detainees are provided with proper meals, medical treatment, and have opportunities to communicate with lawyers and their family members," according to Newsweek.
However, the family and advocacy groups dispute this portrayal. The National Day Laborer Organizing Network, a civil rights group, has reportedly highlighted Othmane's case as emblematic of broader issues within ICE detention centers, particularly concerning detainees with serious medical conditions. According to Pasadena Now, they've organized events and protests outside the detention facility, hoping to raise awareness and pressure authorities to improve conditions.
Music as Resistance and Hope
Othmane is not just any detainee. For years, he has been a fixture in Southern California's classical Arabic music scene, performing at various venues and events. His colleagues and supporters have rallied around him, using music as a form of protest and solidarity. At a recent rally outside the detention center, fellow musicians reportedly played loudly hoping that detainees inside could hear, turning serenades into acts of resistance.
This cultural connection underscores the human side of immigration enforcement, reminding the public that those detained are often integral members of their communities.
The Broader Context of Immigration Enforcement
Othmane's arrest is part of a sweeping immigration crackdown under the Trump administration. The policy has sparked widespread protests and criticism, with many arguing that the enforcement measures are overly harsh and fail to account for individual circumstances.
The administration has emphasized restoring "integrity" to the visa program and discouraging visa overstays, according to Newsweek. Officials have pointed to voluntary departure programs offering incentives for self-deportation. Yet, cases like Othmane's highlight the complexities and human costs of such policies.
Waiting for Justice and a Future
As Othmane remains in custody, his wife continues to advocate for his release on bail and for proper medical care. Their legal battle is ongoing, with hearings scheduled to determine his fate. Meanwhile, Dr. Alrashid waits anxiously for the next phone call, holding onto hope amid uncertainty.
This story is a stark reminder of the fragile line between law enforcement and human rights. It raises pressing questions about how immigration policies are implemented and the balance between security and compassion.
References: A Tunisian musician was detained in LA after living in US for a decade. His doctor wife speaks out | Green Card Applicant Arrested By ICE While Driving To Grocery Store | Husband of Huntington Hospital's Chief of Medical Staff Detained by ICE, Advocacy Group Says
