Tunisian artist arrested in Los Angeles following a decade in the United States, with his physician spouse offering public comments on the matter
Tunisian Musician Rami Othmane Remains Detained Amidst Immigration Controversy
Rami Othmane, a Tunisian musician and resident of Pasadena, California, is currently being held at an immigration detention facility in Arizona. Othmane, who is married to Dr. Wafaa Alrashid, Chief Medical Officer at Huntington Hospital, has been in the U.S. since 2015 and has been working towards obtaining a Permanent Resident Card (green card) through his wife.
Despite the pending application and the submission of immigration paperwork, including an I-130 petition filed in June, Othmane was arrested by federal immigration enforcement on July 13, 2025. His detention has caused concern among local officials, including Senator Sasha Renée Pérez, who have called for his immediate release.
Othmane's health has been a significant concern during his detention. He has cancer and suffers from health issues such as swelling in his left leg. However, he was denied immediate access to necessary medical care. Alrashid hopes to get her husband out on bail while his case is being processed.
The conditions at the detention facility have also been a topic of discussion. Reports indicate that the facility lacks basic amenities such as beds, pillows, blankets, soap, and toothbrushes, and the bathrooms are open.
On a positive note, fellow musicians and immigration advocates have shown their support for Othmane. A rally was held outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in downtown Los Angeles, where classical Arabic music was performed in an act of solidarity with Othmane. Los Jornaleros del Norte musicians, who often play Spanish-language music at rallies, also participated in the rally.
Othmane's deportation order was dismissed in 2020, but the Department of Homeland Security did not address this in their statement. A procedural hearing was held on Thursday, and a bail bond hearing is scheduled for Tuesday.
This case highlights the ongoing issues with immigration enforcement in the U.S., causing fear in communities, particularly among the Latino population in Southern California. Advocates are calling for more humane immigration reforms.
References: [1] ABC News. (2025, August 5). Tunisian musician detained by ICE in Pasadena. Retrieved from https://abc7.com/tunisian-musician-detained-by-ice-in-pasadena/12407289/
[2] Los Angeles Times. (2025, August 6). Tunisian musician Rami Othmane faces deportation despite pending green card application. Retrieved from https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-08-06/tunisian-musician-rami-othmane-faces-deportation-despite-pending-green-card-application
[3] CNN. (2025, August 7). Rami Othmane: Tunisian musician facing deportation despite pending green card application. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/07/us/tunisian-musician-rami-othmane-deportation/index.html
[4] NPR. (2025, August 8). Tunisian musician Rami Othmane's detention sparks calls for humane immigration reform. Retrieved from https://www.npr.org/2025/08/08/1241002842/tunisian-musician-rami-othmane-detention-sparks-calls-for-humane-immigration-reform
- The detention of Rami Othmane, a Tunisian musician, has sparked discussions in Seattle's general news, as local advocates call for humane immigration reforms, similar to those happening in the city's politics.
- Amidst the ongoing controversy surrounding the immigration status of Rami Othmane, the case has been linked to crime-and-justice matters, as concerns regarding his health and the conditions of the detention facility have become part of the discourse.
- Rami Othmane's situation has garnered attention in various sectors, including business and politics, as fellow musicians and immigration advocates have joined forces to support him, a scenario often seen in human rights issues that make headlines in crime-and-justice reports.
