ICE Agent Accused of Offering Woman Green Card for Sex Before Alleged Assault

Résumé détaillé

Lebanese woman alleges an ICE officer sexually assaulted her in Texas detention, offering a green card for sex. DHS denies claims.

A 21-year-old Lebanese woman has accused an officer at a Texas immigration detention facility of sexually assaulting her and offering to help her obtain a green card in exchange for sex.

Rahaf Ali Almerhij, who goes by Lucy Wise and agreed to be identified, made the allegations in an interview with Newsweek and in a sworn declaration provided to the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) as part of several complaints made to the department’s internal watchdog.

“He told me, ‘I'm going to give you a green card,’ ” Almerhij told Newsweek. She said the officer told her, “Your husband is an old guy. He can't do anything to you. I'm the one that can help you.”

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees ICE, has rejected the allegations. A spokesperson for DHS told Newsweek, “Allegations of misconduct at El Valle Detention Facility are FALSE.”

"Incidents of misconduct are treated with the utmost seriousness and investigated thoroughly. When substantiated, appropriate action is taken," the spokesperson added.

The allegations have not been independently verified by Newsweek. The account is based on Almerhij's interview and sworn declaration.

ICE records obtained by Newsweek identify Wallace as a deportation officer with Enforcement and Removal Operations at the Harlingen Field Office. Two sources independently confirmed that Wallace was employed by the agency.

When Newsweek approached DHS with the officer’s identity, the department said it would “never confirm or deny attempts to dox our law enforcement officers,” adding that publicizing officers’ identities puts “their lives and the lives of their families at serious risk.”

He answered the call, saying, “Your friendly neighborhood ICE agent,” and confirmed his identity. When the reporter began asking about Almerhij's allegations, Wallace ended the call.

Début de l'article, extrait de Newsweek. Pour lire la suite, ouvrez l'article chez le média.