A woman known as Mila on TikTok claims she was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents during a green card interview at a San Diego USCIS office. The video, posted January 14, 2026, has garnered more than 614,000 views and sparked intense debate about whether immigrants can be arrested while actively pursuing legal status.
Video Alleges Arrest at Green Card Interview
The TikTok video features overlay text reading “What happened when ICE arrested me at my green card interview.” According to Mila, she arrived at the San Diego USCIS office at 8 a.m. accompanied by her U.S. citizen husband and an attorney. She states she has lived in the United States since age four and has been attempting to resolve her immigration status since her teenage years.
Interview Progressed Normally Before Arrest
Mila describes the interview as initially routine. The USCIS officer asked standard questions about her relationship with her husband and their wedding. Near the conclusion, she says the officer informed the couple that their evidence was strong and that she was approving their Form I-130 petition — the form used by a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident to petition for a qualifying family member.
However, Mila says the officer then apologized and told them that others were waiting outside to speak with her.
TikTok Creator Shares Detailed Account
In the video caption, Mila wrote:
For everyone worried about doing things the legal way: attending your green card interview IS trying to do things the legal way I’ve been in the US since I was 4 years old, had legal entry, had no choice to go back to my home country and have been trying to do things legally since I was a teenager EDIT: this is happening at the San Diego USCIS office. I have no criminal record or prior removal notices or deportation proceedings. It was an administrative ICE warrant, NOT a judicial warrant #ice #immigration #greencard #immigrant #sandiego
Agents Cited ‘Following Orders’ During Detention
Mila recounts that one of the agents told her he knew she was not a criminal and that he was ‘just following orders.’ She says the agents allowed her to give her belongings to her husband and say goodbye before taking her into custody. Mila states she was handcuffed and placed in ankle restraints, then transported to a federal building where she remained for approximately 24 hours.
She believes the arrest was premeditated, citing a list of names she saw on a bulletin board. Mila says she was later released but did not disclose the reason for her arrest or subsequent release.
USCIS Guidance on I-130 Approval and Enforcement
While The Daily Dot could not independently verify Mila’s account, USCIS guidance clarifies that approval of an I-130 petition does not establish that a person is admissible to the United States. According to USCIS:
It is an opportunity to seek lawful permanent residence if the person meets the other requirements.
The agency further states:
approval of a family petition does not mean an applicant has received a green card or immunity from immigration enforcement.
ICE can detain someone when there is probable cause to believe the person can be deported, following established procedures.
Online Reaction Divided Over Detention
Commenters on TikTok expressed sharply divided views. Some supported Mila and expressed concern that she was detained despite attending a scheduled immigration appointment with legal representation. One commenter wrote:
THEY ARE ARRESTING AND DEPORTING PEOPLE WHO ARE DOING IT THE RIGHT WAY
Others suggested the appointment appeared to be, as Mila described, a setup. Additional commenters questioned the circumstances of her arrest, noting that applying for a green card does not erase prior immigration violations — a point that appeared to underlie many of the divided reactions.
Verification Status
The Daily Dot was unable to independently verify the events described in the video, including the circumstances of Mila’s detention, the nature of the warrant, or the reasons for her subsequent release. The details above reflect the account as shared on TikTok by @milathekilla.
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