# Pregnant WA woman detained at asylum interview

> ICE detains pregnant woman during supposed asylum interview, sparking concerns over immigration tactics.
- Title: Pregnant WA woman detained at asylum interview · Seattletimes
- Summary: ICE detains pregnant woman during supposed asylum interview, sparking concerns over immigration tactics. A pregnant woman in Washington state was detained by…
- Keywords: cece mokua, humphrey oyoo, us immigration and customs enforcement, asylum interview, pregnant woman, tacoma detention center, northwest ice processing center, washington state, kenya, seattle, immigration enforcement, deportation proceedings
- Source: Seattletimes — https://seattletimes.com/seattle-news/pregnant-wa-woman-released-after-ice-detained-her-at-asylum-interview
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: cece mokua, humphrey oyoo, us immigration and customs enforcement, asylum interview, pregnant woman, tacoma detention center, northwest ice processing center, washington state, kenya, seattle, immigration enforcement, deportation proceedings
## Pregnant woman detained
Cece Mokua, 29, was detained at a Tacoma immigration center while going to an asylum interview with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
## Detained for hours
Mokua was held in a cold cell with concrete benches and offered noodle soup but refused it, experiencing contractions and a migraine.
## Released without explanation
Mokua was told she was released at 12:45 p.m. but remained in deportation proceedings and would be picked up in Tukwila.
## Pregnant woman's health risks
Mokua, five months pregnant, experienced contractions and a migraine while detained, with no medical assistance available.
## Suspected ICE trap
Supporters believe Mokua walked into a trap: a supposed asylum interview that was a pretext for her arrest by ICE.
## ICE enforcement tactics
ICE arrests people with pending asylum applications, despite past administrations not involving immigration enforcement with such cases.
## Mokua's immigration history
Mokua came to the U.S. legally as a 15-year-old to escape female genital mutilation, finished high school in New Jersey, and earned a biology degree.
## Family and support
Mokua's husband, Humphrey Oyoo, a green-card holder from Kenya, is a home healthcare aide and runs an adult family home for seniors.
## Asylum application
Mokua applied for asylum based on her tribe's female genital mutilation practices, which she experienced as a child.
## ICE's role in enforcement
ICE has arrested Kenyan physician Robert Sidhe, who was returning home from the gym, and has faced criticism for detaining pregnant immigrants.
## Healthcare worker concerns
SEIU 775 expressed concern about ICE enforcement against healthcare workers, noting the shortage of caregivers in aging populations.
## Detention conditions
Mokua described a filthy holding cell with no drinking water, leading to dehydration and health complications.
## Release and next steps
Mokua was released but must attend a Monday check-in with ICE in Spokane, fearing another detention.
## Key takeaway

A pregnant woman in Washington state was detained by ICE during an asylum interview, later released but facing deportation proceedings while experiencing health complications.