HBCU basketball player Aminata Seck remains in ICE custody six weeks after being detained on team trip
The Kentucky State senior was detained at a Louisville airport while traveling to a tournament and has since been moved between detention facilities.
Kentucky State University basketball player Aminata Seck remains in federal immigration custody more than six weeks after she was detained while traveling with her team, as her attorney raises concerns about treatment for a knee injury.
Seck, a 26-year-old senior from Senegal, was detained Aug. 7 at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport while traveling with Kentucky State to New York for a tournament. Attorney Sadiqa Reynolds told People that Seck has since been moved between multiple detention facilities and has been dealing with significant pain from an ACL injury.
Reynolds said Seck has struggled to receive consistent medical care while detained and at one point had received only ibuprofen. She said the 6-foot-4 center needs surgery and medical attention. Reynolds also said she believes Seck may have missed a deadline involving her student visa while undergoing back surgery.
The Department of Homeland Security has since provided a different account of Seck’s immigration case. In a statement reported by USA Today on Sept. 24, DHS said Seck legally entered the United States in 2019 but overstayed her authorized period. The agency also said an immigration judge issued a final removal order in September 2025 after she failed to appear for an immigration hearing and that she will remain in custody pending removal proceedings.
Seck’s detention has also kept one of Kentucky State’s top players away from the court. Official university statistics show Seck averaged 11.7 points and 7.3 rebounds during the 2025-26 season. Kentucky State also named her to the All-SIAC Third Team and said she received the conference’s Elite 16 honor for academic achievement.
Kentucky State has declined to discuss Seck’s case, citing privacy concerns. Reynolds has praised head coach Amani Williams for advocating for Seck while she remains detained and continues seeking medical treatment.
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