Kentucky State Player Aminata Seck Faces Lengthy Detention Amid Immigration Controversy

Weeks after being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Kentucky State women’s basketball player Aminata Seck is grappling with a complex immigration situation that could reshape her life and career. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Seck, a 6-foot-4 center originally from Dakar, Senegal, was taken into custody following her failure to attend an immigration hearing, leading to a final removal order issued last year.

However, Seck and her lawyer contend that she was never notified of the hearing or the subsequent removal order. Detained on August 7 while traveling with her team to a tournament in New York, Seck’s case highlights the challenges faced by international students in the U.S. Her attorney, Sadiqa Reynolds, mentioned that complications surrounding a student visa renewal—specifically, her recovery from back surgery—may have contributed to Seck missing critical deadlines.

As reported by The Courier Journal, Seck’s troubles have compounded during her detention, particularly regarding her health. She has struggled to obtain medical attention for an ACL injury and has experienced seizures, which led to her hospitalization earlier this week. On September 21, more than six weeks into her detention, she was referred to a hospital for knee pain.

DHS's statement clarified that Seck's removal order was issued on September 8, 2025, after she failed to appear at the immigration hearing. “She will remain in ICE custody pending removal proceedings,” the spokesperson confirmed, indicating that her situation is far from resolved.

Seck's attorney, Hishem Alsalman, argues that his client was unaware of any immigration proceedings against her. According to him, Seck has actively worked to maintain her student status while studying at Kentucky State University. He insists that the detention and the removal order—even if valid—are not a reflection of her actions but rather a failure of communication. “Aminata was not aware that she had ever been placed in removal proceedings,” Alsalman stated, highlighting that a motion has been filed in Memphis Immigration Court to reopen and rescind the removal order based on the lack of notice.

Seck has been shuffled through four different detention facilities during her time in ICE custody, making it increasingly difficult for her legal team to maintain communication. This ongoing situation has left her without consistent access to her support network during a critical time, both in terms of her health and legal needs.

Further complicating matters, the DHS representative stated that Seck "chose to overstay her welcome in violation of our nation’s laws," claiming that “being in detention is a choice.” This characterization has been met with substantial criticism. Alsalman described the language used by DHS as “deeply troubling,” asserting that Seck’s circumstances are the result of systemic failures rather than personal choices. “These are not circumstances that Aminata chose for herself,” he emphasized.

Despite her detention, Seck was making significant strides on the court prior to her ordeal. During the 2025–26 season, she averaged over 11 points and 7 rebounds per game and had a standout performance scoring 30 points and grabbing 11 rebounds in a game last January. Her contributions were vital for Kentucky State’s team, which raises the stakes of her situation even further. The university declined to comment, citing privacy issues concerning Seck's case.

Support for Seck has emerged from various avenues, including statements from local politicians. Representative Morgan McGarvey (D-Ky.) spoke out on social media, criticizing the severe actions taken against Seck, and vowed to advocate for her rights. "The Trump administration’s cruelty knows no bounds but we will never let this become normal and we won’t stop fighting for her,” McGarvey wrote.

Prior to joining Kentucky State, Seck played at multiple educational institutions, including Oklahoma’s HBCU Langston University, Central Baptist College in Arkansas, and Northwest Kansas Technical College. Her journey is now marked by uncertainty as she navigates the convoluted landscape of immigration law alongside her aspirations to succeed in collegiate basketball.

As her legal team continues to fight for her, the intersection of sports, health, and immigration remains sharply in focus, with potential ramifications for her future and the ability of other student-athletes in similar circumstances to thrive in the U.S.