July 29, 2026

Congressman Morgan McGarvey Demands Records from ICE on Constituent with Serious Medical Condition

WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 29, 2026) – Today, Congressman Morgan McGarvey sent an urgent Congressional inquiry and records request to a senior U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) official demanding information related to the detention of Sarafinah Bukirwa, who was taken into custody by ICE at Muhammad Ali International Airport in Louisville.

Rep. McGarvey has been working with family and advocates of Bukirwa since she was detained on July 22 and has called for her immediate removal and prompt medical care.

Read the full letter to ICE below:

Dear Mr. Venturella,

On July 22nd at the Louisville Muhammad Ali Airport, Sarafinah Bukirwa (“Ms. Bukirwa”), a resident of Kentucky’s 3rd Congressional District, was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement at Muhammad Ali International Airport in Louisville, Kentucky and transported to the Grayson County Jail.

This detention is particularly troubling because Ms. Bukirwa entered the United States legally, has a valid work authorization, and a pending asylum claim. Furthermore, based on the information reviewed by my team, as well as the information made available to Ms. Bukirwa’s attorney, there are no criminal charges pending or resolved against Ms. Bukirwa.

Ms. Bukirwa is the executive director of Sarafinah Sickle Cell Society (SASCELL), an organization that works to provide lifesaving medical care, awareness programs, and support services for those with sickle cell disease throughout the world. She was on her way to address a conference in California when ICE agents grabbed her and took her to Grayson County.

Of immediate concern, Ms. Bukirwa herself has sickle cell disease and had all her necessary medication and doctor’s instructions regarding her condition at the time of her arrest.

Our office has received reports that, upon arrival at the Grayson County Jail, Ms. Bukirwa was denied medication for her sickle cell disease. We have also been told Ms. Bukirwa was hit by officers, and was stripped of her hijab and all clothes in the presence of male officers.

As such, I am requesting the following information and materials no later than 5:00 PM on

August 5th, 2026:

  1. All body-worn-camera footage recorded during Ms. Bukirwa’s arrival, removal from the transport vehicle, entry into the Grayson County Detention Center, and intake or booking process.

  2. All fixed-camera, handheld-camera, surveillance, audio, or other recordings depicting Ms. Bukirwa’s arrival, intake, booking, searches, medical screening, housing assignment, movement through the facility, or first night in custody.

  3. All video and audio recordings from the housing unit, cell, holding area, medical unit, intake area, booking area, hallway, sally port, or other location in which Ms. Bukirwa was held during her first 48 hours in custody.

  4. The complete intake and booking file, including property inventories, search records, classification assessments, housing determinations, photographs, fingerprints, screening forms, acknowledgment forms, and orientation materials.

  5. The names, titles, employers, and identification numbers of all ICE, DHS, Grayson County, contractor, correctional, and medical personnel who participated in or were present for Ms. Bukirwa’s intake.

  6. Copies of all logs documenting welfare checks, cell checks, rounds, meals, medication distribution, medical encounters, requests for assistance, and movements involving Ms. Bukirwa.

  7. All incident reports and grievances filed with DHS (including the Ombudsman and OIG and any other relevant subagencies who have jurisdiction over these issues) regarding any officers involved in Mrs. Bukirwa’s intake process.

  8. Any and all incident reports that DHS (including any subagencies who have jurisdiction over these issues) has received regarding Grayson County staff and medical facilities since March 2025.

For any requested record that ICE contends is held by the Grayson County Detention Center, a contractor, another DHS component, or another governmental entity, please:

  1. identify the custodian and location of the record;

  2. state whether ICE has the contractual, legal, or practical ability to obtain it;

  3. immediately direct the custodian to preserve it; and

  4. provide my office with the name and contact information of the appropriate official from whom the record may be obtained.

This is an urgent congressional inquiry involving the liberty, health, and safety of a constituent with a serious medical condition.

Sincerely,

Morgan McGarvey

Member of Congress

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Congressman Morgan McGarvey represents Kentucky’s Third Congressional District, including Louisville and Jefferson County. He serves on the House Veterans Affairs, Small Business, and Budget Committees.