WASHINGTON - US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have arrested a pregnant South African woman who was detained at an airport in Las Vegas.
Nqobile Malangeni was detained on 30 July at Harry Reid International Airport as she prepared to board a flight to Connecticut, where she lives with her fiancé.
She had travelled to Las Vegas on 27 July to celebrate her birthday.
Footage shared with US media shows six ICE agents surrounding Malangeni. In the video, the agents tell her she had overstayed her authorised period of stay and that there was a final order of removal against her.
ICE records show Malangeni was being held at the Henderson Detention Center.
Her fiancé, who served in the US armed forces, told local media he was distraught.
The couple had planned to marry, he said, and he feared he would not get to meet their child if Malangeni was deported. He has called on the government to release her.
In a statement, ICE said Malangeni entered the US on 2 December 2023 and was authorised to remain in the country until 19 June 2024.
“[She] overstayed the legal period of her admittance,” the statement said.
ICE added that an immigration judge issued a final order of removal on 9 February 2026.
“She will remain in ICE custody pending removal,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, the US has revoked over 175,000 visas from foreign nationals as part of a sweeping immigration crackdown.
The State Department has targeted foreign nationals accused of breaking the law.
It cites cases including assault, theft and drug crimes and possession of child sexual abuse material.
Over 100 visas have been revoked for those who allegedly gave birth to secure their children US citizenship.
Others were cancelled for celebrating the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
Human rights advocates have criticised the crackdown, warning it could threaten free speech as the government expands vetting of social media accounts.