ICE Green Card Detention cases are once again making headlines in the United States after a shocking story emerged from Los Angeles. A local business owner has raised concerns that his wife, who already had a green card and had passed her U.S. citizenship exam, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under controversial circumstances.
The case has sparked outrage, drawn community support, and opened a broader discussion on immigration policies, legal residency rights, and the challenges green card holders face in the current enforcement climate.
A Husband’s Pain: Wife Taken Into Custody by ICE
Hooshang Aghdassi, who runs a balloon shop in Studio City, Los Angeles, with his wife, says his life has turned upside down since her sudden detention nearly a month ago. His wife, Sharareh Moghadam, was taken into custody during what they thought would be a routine immigration appointment.
Instead of moving forward with her citizenship ceremony, Moghadam was unexpectedly transferred to an ICE detention facility in Phoenix, Arizona.
“She had a green card and passed the exam for citizenship. She was just waiting for the ceremony,” Aghdassi explained. “She is not a bank robber or a criminal. She followed the rules and trusted the system.”
Why ICE Detained Her
Sharareh Moghadam, originally from Iran, had entered the United States legally with all proper documents. According to Aghdassi, the couple believes her recent visit to Iran may have triggered her detention.
However, ICE officials released a sharply different version of events. In a statement to NBC, an ICE spokesperson said:
“Reports that Sharareh Moghaddam has no criminal history are completely false. She is neither a U.S. citizen nor a national of the United States. She is an Iranian native and citizen with a documented criminal history dating back to 2015.”
According to ICE, Moghadam entered the U.S. in 2014 and obtained lawful status in 2016. Between 2015 and 2019, she was reportedly convicted of two theft-related offenses, which ICE argues makes her removable under U.S. immigration law.
This clash of narratives—between her husband’s belief in her innocence and ICE’s official record—has made the case more complex.
The Community Response
The couple’s balloon shop on Laurel Canyon has become a rallying point for supporters. Over the past few weeks, community members have shown solidarity by visiting the store, signing petitions, and urging lawmakers to intervene.
For locals, this is not just about one family—it’s about fairness, justice, and the uncertainty that many immigrant families feel.
“This is heartbreaking. She worked hard, she followed the law, and yet she is locked up,” said one customer who joined the petition.
A Broader Immigration Crackdown
The case is part of a wider pattern. Immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump’s administration has intensified, with promises of mass deportations and strict scrutiny even for green card holders.
According to data from ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, as of August 31:
- Nearly 60,930 migrants had been taken into ICE detention since the beginning of Trump’s second term.
- 29% had criminal convictions.
- 25.6% had pending criminal charges.
- 45% were listed as “other immigration violators.”
- 11.6% were fast-tracked for deportation.
In Los Angeles alone, at least 5,000 people have been arrested under these operations.
Key Facts About the Case: ICE Green Card Detention
Here’s a summary of the most important details from this developing story:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name of Detainee | Sharareh Moghadam |
| Husband | Hooshang Aghdassi |
| Business | Balloon shop in Studio City, Los Angeles |
| Immigration Status | Green Card holder, passed citizenship exam |
| Detention Location | ICE Detention Center, Phoenix, Arizona |
| ICE Allegation | Criminal history with two theft convictions (2015–2019) |
| Husband’s Claim | Entered legally, no criminal behavior, detention unfair |
| Community Response | Petition launched, local support growing |
| Broader Context | Part of nationwide ICE enforcement campaign |
| Arrests in L.A. | At least 5,000 under Trump’s second term operations |
Husband’s Fear and Hope
For Aghdassi, the experience has shaken his faith in the American dream. He described his disappointment, saying:
“Years ago, we believed the U.S. was the land of opportunity and freedom. It was true back then. But right now, everything feels different. You don’t feel secure anymore.”
Despite the uncertainty, he still hopes his wife will be released and that the family can move forward with her citizenship process.
The Bigger Picture: Green Card Holders and ICE Detention
The ICE Green Card Detention case of Sharareh Moghadam highlights a growing fear among immigrants with lawful permanent residency. Many green card holders believe their status protects them from sudden detention, but U.S. immigration law allows removal if a person is found guilty of certain crimes.
Critics argue that minor offenses should not result in life-changing consequences like detention or deportation. Supporters of stricter enforcement, on the other hand, believe that rules must be applied consistently, regardless of status.
What Happens Next
Moghadam is awaiting her next immigration hearing, where a judge will review her case and decide whether she will be deported or allowed to stay. Community activists are pushing lawmakers to intervene, but ICE has made it clear that her criminal record is central to their case.
The outcome may set an example for how green card holders facing detention are treated in the future.
Conclusion
The story of ICE Green Card Detention in Los Angeles is more than just a personal struggle—it’s a reflection of the larger immigration debate in the United States. It shows how legal residents can suddenly find themselves caught in the crosshairs of enforcement policies, even after passing all the required steps toward citizenship.
As Aghdassi waits for his wife’s release, one thing is certain: this case will continue to spark conversations about fairness, justice, and the true meaning of security for immigrants in America.
