University of San Francisco says it will keep advocating for Ann Lawani's release
University of San FranciscoUniversity spokesperson Kellie Samson, in a statement to The San Francisco Standard
A USF spokesperson calls Lawani an integral part of the university community, says the university helped connect her family with an attorney, and says it will keep advocating for her release so she can return to her work.
“We will continue to advocate for her release so that she may continue her essential work.”
Reporting
Where this statement fits
ICE detains USF nursing professor Ann Lawani at her Lodi home and moves her to Louisiana; DHS says she overstayed a 2007 admission, and Rep. Josh Harder demands her release
On September 16, 2026, federal immigration agents arrested Dr. Ann Lawani, a nurse who directs the University of San Francisco's master's nursing program, at her home in Lodi, California. According to The San Francisco Standard, agents took her to a holding facility in Stockton and then to El Paso before she was moved to an ICE processing center in southern Louisiana, where she remained in custody in mid-November. A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson called Lawani an illegal alien arrested in a targeted enforcement operation and said she entered the United States legally in June 2007 on a temporary basis but overstayed. The spokesperson said work authorization does not confer legal status and that she will remain in ICE custody pending removal. Rep. Josh Harder, whose district includes Lodi, wrote to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin on October 20 asking that Lawani be released under supervision and returned to California. His letter says an immigration judge granted her withholding of removal to Nigeria and that a federal judge ordered she not be removed while her habeas petition is pending. State Sen. Jerry McNerney and the University of San Francisco have also called for her release.
Source and context
Reporting
About this source
Report on Lawani's arrest and detention, with a statement from a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson and statements from USF spokesperson Kellie Samson and Dean Eileen Fry-Bowers.
Before the quotation
The university said it has worked to ensure Lawani receives due process under federal law and helped connect her family with an attorney. Samson said that "As a Jesuit Catholic institution, we are called to accompany and support the most vulnerable".
After the quotation
Eileen Fry-Bowers, dean of the School of Nursing and Health Professions, said Lawani's absence causes real and mounting harm to the students and faculty who rely on her mentorship.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
The university says it will keep advocating for Lawani's release, which condemns her continued detention.
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More from this case
Read the full caseDHS says Ann Lawani overstayed her 2007 admission and will remain in ICE custody
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
“On June 7, 2007, Lawani legally entered the United States on a temporary basis, but in defiance of our laws overstayed her admittance by failing to depart by July 6, 2007”Read statement
Jerry McNerney calls ICE's arrest of Ann Lawani an absolute outrage
“Ann Lawani is a highly respected and beloved nurse and professor who lives in my Senate district. ICE disappearing her from her home is an absolute outrage.”Read statement
Josh Harder tells DHS there is no public safety reason to keep Ann Lawani detained
“Given her longstanding compliance, lack of criminal history, and substantial community ties, there is no apparent public safety justification for keeping her detained thousands of miles from home while her case proceeds.”Read statement
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The Dispute Index. "University of San Francisco says it will keep advocating for Ann Lawani's release". First published: 2026-11-14. Last updated: 2026-11-14. https://disputeindex.com/events/8908-a-usf-spokesperson-calls-lawani-an-integral-part