ICE Arrests British Woman Holding Newborn Son in California - Details

She was holding her infant in a government office when ICE agents took her away. What followed was a transatlantic plea, rising outrage, and a sudden twist days later.

On November 21, 2025, British mother Jules Peters made a public plea online, revealing that her daughter had been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during what was supposed to be a routine green card interview.

Speaking from her home in Beccles, Surrey, Jules said she was at work when her daughter, Katie Paul, told her she was being detained. "I know that people get accused of oversharing on social media, but right now, I need your help," Jules said in the video.

She explained that Katie had technically overstayed her visa, but immigration officials had already signed off on her green card. It simply needed to go before a judge. However, as she left the interview, ICE officers detained her.

On November 19, 2025, Katie, 33, her husband, Stephen Paul, also 33, and their six-month-old son attended an appointment at the San Diego U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office for Katie's green card interview.

She also raised concerns about the life Katie and Stephen would be forced to leave behind.

Following the meeting, ICE agents detained Katie while she was holding her baby, and also took several other individuals into custody. "I want my daughter released," Jules said. She also shared that Katie's mental health was deteriorating in detention, revealing:

"Her mental health is rock bottom. She has had issues in the past. Literally, nobody can get to see her. She's locked up like a criminal."

Jules said Stephen was devastated. "Stephen's in pieces. He rang his mom; he couldn't even tell her. She couldn't understand what he was saying, but he said they've taken Katie," she recalled.

Katie had moved to the U.S. in September 2024 to be with Stephen and the couple quickly married the following month. Jules explained that her daughter initially planned to return to the UK to complete the green card process, but decided to stay in the U.S. due to a high-risk pregnancy.

On legal advice, they applied for a green card from within the country as a married couple. However, Jules feared the consequences if Katie were deported, explaining that it could have been up to 10 years before her daughter would be allowed to return to the U.S.

"She has such a better life in America," she said. Jules also raised concerns about the life Katie and Stephen would be forced to leave behind. Stephen owns their home and works for the sheriff's office, but if removed from the U.S., they would be returning to "nothing" in the UK.

Jules said the arrest had left the family in disbelief. "They picked on my daughter for easy pickings," she stated, before adding, "This is my little girl." Speaking directly to the circumstances of Katie's detention, Jules said:

"You detained my little girl in front of her husband and her baby and you have locked her up and I am raging at the injustice of it because she's done everything right."

Katie was being held in a detention facility but managed to FaceTime her mother. Jules described her daughter as being in "complete shock" and added, "She just wants to be with her husband and baby." The family have since launched a GoFundMe campaign to cover legal expenses.

However, amid rising public pressure, on November 25, 2025, Jules returned to Facebook with a jubilant update.

In a statement to NBC San Diego, ICE declared, "Individuals unlawfully present in the United States, including those out of status at federal sites such as USCIS offices, may face arrest, detention, and removal in accordance with U.S. immigration law."

The agency added that it "is committed to enforcing federal immigration laws through targeted operations that prioritise national security, public safety, and border security."

Once the incident caught the public's attention, social media reactions were polarising. One person commented, "This is just unbelievable." Another shared, "Omg 🙏." However, a third typed, "No double standard... it's horrible, we agree.. but laws are laws."

However, amid rising public pressure, on November 25, 2025, Jules returned to Facebook with a jubilant update. "DONT MESS WITH ANGRY MAMAS [sic]!! We did it!!" she typed.

"Thanks to every single one of you, the Lawyers and all - Katie has her green card and will be home today [sic]!!! Anne Baldwin Stephen Paul Katie Carla," the post continued. The update marked a dramatic turnaround just days after the family had been left in what Jules described as "complete limbo."

The case has raised wider questions about ICE enforcement practices during immigration procedures and brought renewed attention to the toll such actions take on families caught in the system.

However, for Jules, it was a mother's determination — and a global show of support — that made all the difference.