The case of Godfrey Wade, a U.S. Army veteran, has become a focal point in the ongoing discussions about immigration enforcement, as he remains detained in the Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin, Georgia. Wade, who emigrated from Jamaica 52 years ago, has been in custody for three months, following a routine traffic stop in September for failing to use a turn signal.
Wade’s situation began when police discovered he did not possess a valid driver’s license and was not documented as a citizen. His fiancée, April Watkins, recorded footage of his arrest, capturing the alarming turn of events for a veteran who dedicated years to serving his country.
In the mid-1970s, Wade enlisted in the Army and was assigned to the 7th Infantry Division. He served in Aschaffenburg, Germany, and earned several commendations, including good conduct and wartime service medals. Following his military career, Wade pursued multiple degrees and worked in various professions, including fashion design, tennis coaching, and culinary arts. At the time of his arrest, he was employed at the Georgia Capitol Café.
Wade and Watkins had been actively working towards legal citizenship prior to his detention. “We had an attorney, but it’s a very expensive endeavor; the cost is astronomical,” Watkins explained. “Still, he did make the effort. We did a lot of things to make sure this day would not come, and yet here we are.”
From the detention center, Wade expressed disbelief at the possibility of deportation after having lived in the U.S. for over five decades. “For 52 years I’ve lived in this country and raised my children, worked hard, paid my taxes,” he stated. “A lot of the processes of immigration I didn’t know about. I’m learning more while I’m in here.”
Challenging Conditions at Stewart Detention Center
Wade’s experience inside the detention center highlights troubling conditions. He described sleeping on a makeshift bed on the floor for nearly two weeks due to overcrowding. “We don’t have any bunk space,” he said. “We’re given what we call boats, and those are placed on the floor with a two-inch mat.”
The facility reportedly has severe sanitation issues, with only two urinals available for approximately 80 detainees. Wade noted that he must navigate around sewage water while waiting to use the restroom. According to reports from 11Alive, records from the Office of Detention Oversight (ODO) indicated 12 deficiencies during the center’s last inspection, raising concerns about health and safety, phone access, and food service.
Legal protections for undocumented veterans have fluctuated over the years. A directive issued by the Biden administration in 2022 instructed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to consider veterans’ status when making deportation decisions, provided they do not have violent criminal histories. In September 2023, over 60 Democratic members of Congress urged federal authorities to compile a list of veterans who have been deported or detained. However, this request has yet to be fulfilled.
Family Impact and the Road Ahead
Wade’s detention has profoundly affected his family, who struggle with the limitations on visitation. He has six children and three grandchildren, and his daughter, Christian, has found the situation particularly difficult. “It’s been hard trying to communicate why granddad is not available,” she said. “We typically see him every weekend. He doesn’t want them to see him behind that plexiglass. He doesn’t want them to see what he looks like.”
Wade’s youngest child, Emmanuela, expressed confusion over the label of criminality associated with her father’s undocumented status. “For my first talent show, I was doing ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star,’ and he created a kimono for me,” she recalled. “He was always supportive of our aspirations and our dreams.”
Despite the turmoil, Wade remains hopeful about his situation. “If I didn’t believe this country is still great, I wouldn’t want to stay here,” he remarked. “I shed my blood for this country. I can live with myself if I just have a day in court so somebody can hear my story.”
The legal process, however, has been slow. Wade reported that he was not assigned a case agent for nearly two months and is still waiting for the opportunity to present his case before a judge. He indicated that he had received a notice of hearing back in 2014 that was sent to the wrong address.
Watkins remains optimistic that Wade’s situation could contribute to changes that restore protections for non-citizen veterans. “If you served this country, you deserve a chance to stay in this country,” she said. “That is the hope for not only him but for any veteran who sits in a detention center. Look at the service that they gave this country and take that into consideration.”
