ICE Holds Maryland Pharmacy Instructor for 110 Days
Dr. Berhanu Kibret, an instructor at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, remains in federal immigration custody in Western Oklahoma.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Immigration
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested Dr. Berhanu Kibret at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport on July 21, citing an Ethiopian visa that expired in May 2024. As of the reporting, he was on his 110th day in federal custody and a bond request had been denied.
Why it matters
Kibret's attorneys say he had a federal application pending for years that allowed him to live and work in the country, and that it was never adjudicated before his detention. The case highlights how long detainees can wait for court action on habeas corpus petitions challenging their detention.
Kibret remains in ICE custody pending immigration proceedings, and DHS says he overstayed his visa. His habeas corpus petition has gone nearly two months without action, and it is not clear when a court will rule on it.
The players
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
The federal agency responsible for immigration enforcement and detention, which arrested Kibret and holds him in custody.
Donald Trump
The current President of the United States, who said his immigration platform may have been too tough and hurt Republicans in the midterm elections.
The details
ICE agents arrested Kibret at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, and his attorneys have since sought his release from an ICE facility in Western Oklahoma. DHS said he will remain in custody while his immigration case proceeds.
Timeline
July 21, 2024: Kibret's Ethiopian visa expired, according to ICE.
July 21: ICE arrested Kibret at Dallas Fort Worth airport.
November 8, 2026: Trump told 60 Minutes his immigration platform was too tough.
Seasonal Patterns
Kibret's detention falls within ICE's 2025 arrest total of more than 321,000 people. His case illustrates how individual detainees can face months-long waits in habeas proceedings amid that enforcement volume.
Foreign nationals with expired visas or pending federal applications can be detained by ICE while their status is contested. Detainees may wait weeks or months for a court to act on a habeas petition challenging their custody.
The takeaway
Immigration detention can continue for months while legal challenges remain pending. Anyone facing a visa issue should track pending applications and deadlines closely with legal counsel.
Further reading
For more on the enforcement policies behind cases like this, see Immigration coverage on Wisevoter.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Daily Item.
