(R-L) Singer Rami Othmane and his wife, Wafaa, Chief Medical Officer at Huntington Hospital in Pasadena, photographed in March 2025. (Image courtesy of Rami via social media)
Senator Sasha Renée Pérez (D-Pasadena) is speaking out against the recent detention and treatment of Pasadena resident Rami Othmane, who was detained and later released by federal immigration authorities in a case that has sparked outrage among local leaders and activists.
By Rena Kurlander
Othmane, a longtime U.S. resident, was taken into custody by masked men while driving to a grocery store on July 13, sparking widespread community outrage. The men did not identify themselves or present a warrant. They surrounded his car, blocking him in, and refused to provide any credentials despite his repeated requests. During the incident, Othmane called his wife, Wafaa, on FaceTime. The couple officially married on March 5, 2024. They have an immigration lawyer who filed and submitted their paperwork in June. Wafaa and Othmane have an approved I-130 petition, confirming his legal status in the U.S. based on her submission and application.
The two-week detention, which Senator Pérez has condemned as “inhumane and unjust,” has raised serious concerns about the conditions faced by detainees. Reports indicate that Othmane, who is in the process of applying for a Permanent Resident Card, was held at a downtown Los Angeles facility where he was allegedly denied basic hygiene items such as toothpaste and a toothbrush and was given only snacks instead of regular meals.
Othmane’s wife, the Chief Medical Officer at Huntington Hospital in Pasadena, was left to cope with both the emotional strain and logistical challenges of her husband’s sudden detention, without any clear explanation for his arrest.
In a statement released on Saturday, August 30, Senator Pérez strongly criticized the federal government’s treatment of Othmane, emphasizing that his case, marked by his lack of a criminal record, exposes larger flaws within the nation’s immigration policies.
“This President and the federal administration have no human compassion,” Pérez stated, denouncing the treatment of Othmane and others caught in the crosshairs of aggressive immigration policies. “Mr. Othmane is a valuable member of our community. He has no criminal history and has contributed to the well-being of our society for years. This kind of violent and indiscriminate enforcement is cruel and misguided.”
After more than two weeks in custody, Othmane was released, though he now faces the added burden of wearing an ankle monitor. His case has fueled renewed calls from local leaders and immigration advocates for comprehensive reform of immigration policies, urging the federal government to adopt a more humane and rational approach.
“We are a nation of immigrants,” Pérez continued, “and the federal government should be working together to pass sensible immigration reform that would allow our good neighbors to openly contribute to our nation’s prosperity and well-being.”
While Othmane’s release has brought some relief to his family and the Pasadena community, the incident has intensified growing concerns about the federal government’s immigration enforcement practices, particularly those affecting long-term residents and families.
As Othmane navigates his legal and immigration processes, Senator Pérez and other advocates remain committed to pushing for reforms that prevent further mistreatment and create a fairer, more compassionate immigration system across the United States.
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