ICE Detains Florida-Born Man for Months Despite Birth Records, Faces Deportation to Jamaica

An Associated Press investigation has found evidence that US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has detained a mentally ill American citizen since January 2026 and is seeking to deport him to Jamaica, despite records indicating he was born in Florida.

Phillip James, 39, also known as Felibi Siagha-Coke, remains at Indiana’s Miami Correctional Facility. His mother, lawyers and public records say he was born in Florida in 1987 to a US citizen mother and a Jamaican father. A birth certificate, a 1988 paternity court document and criminal records support that account. James held a US passport for 15 years.

The Department of Homeland Security disputes his citizenship, alleging the birth certificate used for his passport was fraudulent, but has provided no evidence to the AP. Jamaican authorities say they have no record of his birth or citizenship. James claims he was born in Jamaica and is also a Lebanese citizen; medical experts say these beliefs are delusions linked to paranoid schizophrenia.

ICE began removal proceedings in December 2025 and arrested James after an immigration hearing in New York on January 5. An immigration judge ordered his deportation in April. His lawyers filed a federal petition seeking his release on August 19 and are appealing the removal order. A federal judge is expected to rule on the petition. Separately, a May ruling denied an earlier habeas petition but found James eligible for a custody redetermination under federal law.

The case comes amid broader scrutiny of immigration enforcement. A ProPublica investigation published October 6 identified 506 US citizens detained by immigration agents during the Trump administration, including people held over citizenship questions, children and people detained while recording officers. The tally is likely an undercount overall.

Experts say James’ case highlights how officials may accept evidence supporting deportation while dismissing contrary records. Northwestern University professor Jacqueline Stevens said wrongful detention involving mental illness was not an isolated problem. Former ICE official Deborah Fleischaker said evidence of James’ citizenship appeared strong and warned deportation targets could keep him caught in the system. DHS says detainees receive due process and denies detaining US citizens.