A Jamaican-born U.S. Army veteran who has lived in the country for 50 years was detained by ICE for reportedly not using a turn signal. The army vet beckons to be heard, claiming, “I shed my blood for this country. I can live with myself if I just have a day in court so somebody can hear my story.”
It was a normal day for 65-year-old Godfrey Wade until he was pulled over by authorities in Conyers, Georgia, after he’d missed using a turn signal. Local authorities discovered Wade had no valid driver’s license and arrested him for that, later handing him over to ICE. Since his arrest in September, Wade has continued to be detained at an ICE detention center located at the Stewart Detention Center, Stewart County, Georgia.
Godfrey Wade, born in Jamaica, hustled to America as a teen, was issued a green card, then straight up enlisted in the US Army’s 7th Infantry Division back in the 80s. Served with honor overseas in Germany and stateside, earning medals and respect. Now? He’s a devoted dad to six… pic.twitter.com/d8H0IQsWcA
— Merrick Lackner (@merricklackner) November 14, 2025
Wade is a Green Card holder; however, confirmation about his license and why he was without it remains unknown at the moment. The Jamaican-born army veteran had no priors whatsoever. He’s faithfully served the country for 8 years and was stationed in Germany for the same.
After fulfilling his duties, he was honorably discharged and went on to build a successful life. After building a family with 6 children and 3 grandchildren, he took on the roles of a tailor and fashion designer. Following this, he even worked as a tennis coach, and most recently, before his arrest, he worked as a chef at the Georgia Capitol Cafe.
While Wade remains in ICE detention, his family has set up a GoFundMe page to afford an Attorney, urging fellow good Samaritans to help. Highlighting his father’s demeanor, passion, and impact as a tennis coach, his son, Christian Wade, claimed his father is a “charismatic, animated, and caring” individual as a coach and father.
Relatives of 65-year-old US Army veteran Godfrey Wade are fighting desperately to stop his deportation to Jamaica as he remains detained in an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Georgia.
Read more: https://t.co/qjvyJudxjZ pic.twitter.com/Rv1Ndn3ryy
— Jamaica Gleaner (@JamaicaGleaner) November 26, 2025
Furthermore, Christian mentioned tennis being a key link for his father to connect not just with his students but also with his family, who miss him dearly in his absence. Lastly, his son mentioned that should his Jamaican-born father be deported in the aftermath, “he has long left his mark on the United States,” through his children, and children who share the same values as their father did.
Talking about deportation from a legal perspective, a recent memo since Donald Trump’s administration returned, suggests that an immigrant who served in the military is “not necessarily” immune from “being subjected to immigration enforcement action.”
As his family battles on to collect funds for an attorney, Wade is enduring gruesome living conditions at the ICE facility. According to a phone interview with local publications, Wade shed light on his living quarters. He’s reportedly been sleeping on “boats,” which are placed on a mere 2-inch mattress on the floor instead of a bed.
GEORGIA ARMY VETERAN: Godfrey Wade Stuck in ICE Detention Center pic.twitter.com/VT0569Q7JR
— SEGAMI (@segamihcfund) December 9, 2025
As for the bathroom condition, the Jamaican-born U.S. Army veteran claimed that for 80 people, there were only 2 available urinals. This is beyond unhygienic, especially because there’s reportedly “sewage water flowing on the ground.”
Despite such conditions, the Jamaican-born U.S. Army veteran remains optimistic about the justice system working in his favor. In a statement, he said, “If I didn’t believe this country is still great, I wouldn’t want to stay here.”
