According to the DHS: "On October 21, ICE arrested Samuel Sey, an illegal alien ... Sey entered the United States legally in 2022 but overstayed his length of admission by over four years ... Sey has no pending applications and accepted voluntary departure." Here's what puzzles me. 2022 was four years ago. If Sey entered the country legally in 2022, how did he "overstay ... by over four years"? Let's break down the timeline 🤓 Feb, 2022: According to a July 12, 2022 tweet, Sey had lived in Ohio for "almost 6 months," so he must have legally immigrated in early February. Most B-1/B-2 visitors have 6 months, which may be why Sey mentioned that specific term. In that case, his admission would have expired in July, 2022, matching the "over four years" statement by the DHS. April 23, 2022: Sey & Annie are married in Ohio. November 21, 2022: Sey tweets that he hopes the U.S. accepts his Green Card application. So, as of this date, Sey believes that his status is pending. This contradicts the DHS statement that Sey has "no pending applications" and "overstayed ... over four years." Either 1) Sey was denied/rejected after this date AND there was a processing/notice issue resulting in him somehow remaining unaware, or 2) the DHS has a records discrepancy. December 24, 2022: Sey tweets that until his Green Card is approved, he can't visit family in Canada, stating how much he misses them. On this date, he is still under the impression that his Green Card is still pending. This conflicts with DHS's claim that Sey "overstayed ... over four years," because Nov 21 and Dec 24 are both less than four years ago. Jun 12, 2024: Sey tweets, "I can't wait till I'm able to visit all my family," in the Greater Toronto Area, implying that at this time, he still believes his Green Card is pending, and that he's unable to travel internationally until it's approved. Sept, 2025: At this time, Sam has a job as a middle school teacher at Berean Christian Academy Marion. This implies he had (or thought he had) a work visa, and I assume the school verified his work visa status. Work visas are usually valid 1-3 years. Once again, this contradicts the DHS claim that Sey "overstayed ... over four years." So, either 1) Sey mistakenly thought he had a work visa AND the school neglected to check, or 2) the DHS has made some kind of error. Over the past four years, Sey has consistently expressed the belief that he's waiting on his Green Card. He's expressed that he can't travel internationally until it's approved, which caused him to deeply miss his mother, loved ones, and childhood home. He's also had at least one job that would have required a verified work visa. Either Sey is an extremely consistent liar (AND his employer[s] failed to verify his status), or there has been some kind of honest mistake either on his part or on the part of DHS. I personally think the latter is more plausible. I strongly encourage my brothers and sisters in Christ to wait until this situation is resolved rather than risk making baseless and potentially defamatory accusations against Sey. As Joel shares below, Sey's wife, Annie, says Sey has been working with an immigration attorney for three years to manage his immigration status and citizenship process.

I’m not at liberty to share all the details, but suffice it to say that many people rejoicing over this have given a completely incorrect rendering of what occurred and why. ICE did not come to his home. This whole thing is a paperwork issue that they’re working to resolve. Samuel Sey is a good man. As you can imagine, his wife, who’s at home with their 3 babies, is devastated and also trusting the Lord to help them find a resolution quickly. Please pray for all of the Seys. Pray for wisdom and provision. Those celebrating because they don’t like something Sam said are slanderous backbiters and gossips. Pay them no mind

According to multiple sources on X, Samuel Sey's detainment and hold for ICE arises NOT from a deliberate contravention of the law, but rather from a paperwork/clerical issue they are seeking to quickly resolve.

If this is true and it is a paperwork issue, then it’s further proof that ICE is overstepping its limits. One is supposed to be allowed to move freely in the country in these cases to solve paperwork with a lawyer. Justice for @SlowToWrite