Kentucky State University student-athlete Aminata Seck was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport while traveling with her school’s women’s basketball team, the Louisville Courier Journal reported exclusively on Sept. 19, 2026.
According to the Courier Journal, Seck, 26, was taken into custody on Aug. 7 as the team traveled. The report did not provide detailed information about the specific basis for the detention.
Arrests by ICE at airports can stem from a range of immigration enforcement actions, including outstanding detainers or warrants, but the available reporting does not indicate whether removal proceedings or other legal actions have been initiated in Seck’s case.
It was not clear from the information released whether the detention disrupted the team’s travel plans or affected upcoming games, or what steps, if any, Kentucky State University staff took in response.
Kentucky State University is a historically Black public university in Frankfort, Kentucky. The detention of a student-athlete while traveling with a collegiate team highlights how immigration enforcement can intersect with college athletics and raise questions about travel protocols and institutional support.
Details remain limited. Additional information from court records, university statements, Seck’s representatives or ICE could clarify the circumstances and next steps in the coming days.
This report will be updated as more information becomes available.
