A Georgia Army veteran, who spent nearly 50 years in the United States, has been deported to Jamaica after a routine traffic stop. Now, he is speaking out to highlight what he says are serious flaws in the U.S. immigration system.
A Routine Traffic Stop That Changed Everything for an Army Veteran
Godfrey Wade, a legal U.S. resident and Army veteran, first came to the United States in 1975. For decades, Wade built his life in America through service, hard work, and strong family ties. However, a minor traffic violation abruptly changed everything. Local police pulled Wade over for failing to use a turn signal and for not carrying his driver’s license.
Instead of issuing a simple ticket, officers detained the Army veteran and placed him in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Despite his honorable military service and decades of residence in the United States, authorities ultimately deported the Army veteran to Jamaica.
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Speaking to CBS Atlanta over Zoom from Jamaica, Wade recalled the moment he realized the stop would alter his life forever. “On that particular Saturday morning, I didn’t have a license on me, so I knew just upon being stopped, it was going to be the officer’s discretion whether he released me with a fine or took me to jail,” the Army veteran said.
From Traffic Stop to ICE Custody
Wade said officers took him into custody immediately instead of issuing a routine citation. Under normal circumstances, a person in his situation could post bond—a small fee, often around $150—and remain free until a hearing. In Wade’s case, ICE placed a hold on him, which prevented his release. “ICE has now put a hold on the individual. So now it’s up to the discretion of those ICE officers moving forward,” the Army veteran said.
Officials first held Wade at a temporary detention facility in Lumpkin County, Georgia. Authorities then transferred him to a larger holding facility in Monroe, Louisiana. Wade described the experience as frustrating and dehumanizing.
ICE officers kept him in a “holding zone pending air flight” while they filled seats on a monthly charter deportation flight to Jamaica. “Once they get a full manifest, you are kept in Louisiana, and they have a scheduling where the Airbus to Jamaica was the first week of each month,” he said.
Wade’s family said authorities never gave him the opportunity to present his case before an immigration judge. Court officials sent the original court order to the wrong address, which denied the Army veteran the chance to request a hearing. As a result, officials deported Wade despite his legal status and military background, without allowing him to defend himself.
Speaking Out Against Systemic Failures
Now in Jamaica, Wade is speaking out to raise awareness about what he describes as systemic problems within the U.S. immigration system. The Army veteran says his experience reflects broader issues that affect legal residents, especially those with long-standing ties to the country.
“It’s not about Godfrey Wade, it’s really about the next veteran, and the next person who really doesn’t have the opportunity to articulate that, hey, I need a fair hearing from the constitutional justice system of America,” the Army veteran said.
Wade’s case has raised concerns among advocates who argue that legal residents with deep roots in the United States can still face deportation over minor infractions. Many believe thousands of people may be going through similar situations without proper legal guidance or the chance to appear before an immigration judge.
ICE has not responded to requests for comment regarding Wade’s deportation. Meanwhile, Wade continues to share his story with media outlets, describing the challenges of navigating an immigration system he says is confusing and unforgiving.