LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — A woman detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at Louisville's airport who said she was denied medication for her sickle cell disease will be released from custody.
According to court documents, Sarafinah Bukirwa was granted an immigration bond hearing Friday and Judge Rebecca Grady Jennings ordered her release on bond.
Lawmakers and Bukirwa's family were pushing for her release amid claims she was denied lifesaving medication for her blood disease. Her family said Bukirwa has sickle cell disease and spent nearly a week without her prescribed medication. They warned her condition could quickly become life-threatening without proper treatment.
Bukirwa was detained by ICE on July 22 at the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport and was being held at the Grayson County Detention Center.
When asked about the claims, Grayson County Jailer Jason Woosley said Bukirwa is "currently receiving and has been receiving all the medications that she is prescribed."
Now that she is being released, the civil lawsuit filed against the jail will likely be dropped. The government must now notify the court once she is physically released from custody, at which point her federal lawsuit will be officially closed.
Kentucky U.S. Congressman Morgan McGarvey, D-Louisville, said in a statement Friday night that Bukirwa had been released from custody and was admitted to the hospital.
"I'm so relieved Sarafinah is finally getting the care she needs and this nightmare is behind her, but so many families are still going through it," McGarvey said.Â
This story may be updated.
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