McNerney Condemns ICE for Disappearing Lodi Nurse and Professor Ann Lawani

State Sen. Jerry McNerney today condemned U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for disappearing nurse and professor Ann Lawani from her home in Lodi and sending her to Louisiana without notifying her family or the public.

“Ann Lawani is a highly respected and beloved nurse and professor who lives in my Senate district. ICE disappearing her from her home is an absolute outrage. It’s even more outrageous that ICE essentially kidnapped Professor Lawani, shackled her at the ankles, waist and hands, and secreted her to Louisiana, without notifying her family, her attorney, or the public – despite the fact that she has a valid federal work permit to stay in the U.S.,” said Sen. McNerney, whose district includes all of San Joaquin County, including Lodi. 

“ICE is operating out of control – and has been since Trump took office. To date, ICE has disappeared an estimated 20,000 people throughout the nation, effectively denying them their right to due process.”

“This is illegal behavior. Grabbing people from their homes and the streets and keeping their whereabouts secret is the work of an authoritarian regime. On Nov. 3, the American people, by a large margin, sent a clear message to the Trump Administration that this behavior must stop.”

“I call on ICE to immediately return Professor Lawani to California so that she can exercise her rights guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States.”

Sen. Jerry McNerney’s 5th Senate District includes all of San Joaquin County and Alameda County’s Tri-Valley.