Quick Read
- Godfrey Wade, an Army veteran, faces deportation after living in the U.S. since 1975.
- He was honorably discharged from the military after serving overseas.
- Wade’s deportation risk escalated after a September 2025 traffic stop led to ICE detention based on a 2014 removal order.
- His family and members of Congress are appealing to DHS to halt his imminent deportation.
- Wade was unaware of the 2014 removal order due to a missed court notification.
COVINGTON (Azat TV) – An Army veteran from Covington, Georgia, Godfrey Wade, faces imminent deportation from the United States after residing in the country for more than 50 years. Wade, originally from Jamaica, is currently in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody, with his family and members of Congress urgently appealing to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to halt his removal.
Wade’s journey to the United States began in 1975 when he arrived legally as a teenager. He later enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving overseas and receiving an honorable discharge, a testament to his commitment to the nation. Following his military service, Wade built a life in America, engaging in various professions including chef, tennis coach, and fashion designer, contributing to his community for decades.
Legal Challenges Threaten Veteran’s Residency
The veteran’s precarious situation escalated significantly following a traffic stop on September 13, 2025, in Conyers, Georgia. Wade was pulled over for failing to signal a turn and subsequently arrested for driving without a license. This incident triggered his detention by ICE, which was based on a 2014 removal order. This order was reportedly linked to a bounced check incident from 2007 and a minor domestic assault charge from 2006.
According to Wade’s attorney, the 2006 domestic incident involved no physical violence and was characterized as a misunderstanding over spilled milk. Crucially, Wade and his family claim he was unaware of the 2014 removal order until his recent arrest, citing a missed court notification. His legal team has since filed an appeal to reopen his case, emphasizing these procedural issues.
Family Appeals and Congressional Intervention for Wade
Wade’s detention has caused immense distress for his family, including his fiancée, April Watkins, his six children, and three grandchildren. Watkins highlighted the emotional toll of their separation, stating, “He is a very strong man of faith.” His daughter, Emily Wade, underscored the family’s belief that his decades of service should be a primary consideration, asserting that “Someone’s past mistakes do not define who they are.”
Initially held at Atlanta’s ICE field office, Wade was later transferred to the Stewart Detention Center and most recently moved to a facility in Louisiana, where he was placed on a flight manifest for deportation. This rapid progression has intensified the urgency of the appeals.
In response, members of Congress from both political parties have stepped forward to advocate for Wade. They are urging DHS to re-evaluate his case, emphasizing the need for intervention before his potential deportation within days. The advocacy efforts highlight the critical questions raised by Wade’s plight regarding the treatment of veterans within the U.S. immigration system, particularly those who have lived in the country for most of their lives.
The case of Godfrey Wade underscores the complex and often unforgiving nature of immigration law enforcement, even for individuals with extensive ties and military service to the United States, raising broader questions about how past minor infractions are weighed against decades of residency and contributions.