A Maine Medical Center nurse who was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has been released and returned home, according to a report published August 6.
The union announced the release of Debora Kapisha on Thursday, one day after nurses and union members held a rally in support of the detained nurse.
Kapisha, a Zambian national and asylee, was arrested on July 30 while traveling through Boston's Logan Airport despite having work authorization, according to a union statement.
ICE's online detainee database no longer lists Kapisha in its system. Following the news, U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree expressed celebration on social media regarding the news and noted the need to fight for neighbors and coworkers.
Kelli Brennan, a registered nurse at Maine Medical Center and nurse leader with the Maine State Nurses Association, stated that the union organized a rally within 24 hours of learning the first-year nurse had been detained. Brennan expressed pride in the community coming together to advocate for Kapisha and noted the need to address ICE operations.
The union has requested that MaineHealth administrators take steps to help secure Kapisha's release, including sponsoring her green card.
A spokesperson for the hospital system stated it was in contact with Kapisha's attorneys and had reached out to Maine's congressional delegation for support.
Puneet Maharaj, executive director of National Nurses United, said in a press statement that the nurses' success is a result of collective action.
The incident has prompted calls from union members and local leaders for MaineHealth to assist in securing the release of detained nurses.
