Ann Lawani, assistant professor of the School of Nursing and Health Professions, was detained at her home by immigration officials and is being held in a detention facility in Louisiana, 2,000 miles from her family.
Ann, a professor at USF since 2023 and program director for USF’s master's entry program in nursing, holds a doctorate in nursing science and a master’s as a clinical nurse leader. She is from Nigeria and is the first in her family to graduate from college.
USF has been doing everything it can to ensure Ann is afforded full and fair due process under the law, including helping her family find a lawyer. As a Jesuit Catholic institution, we are called to accompany and support the most vulnerable, and we are asking our entire community to support the release of Ann, who is an integral part of our university community. We will continue to advocate for her release so that she may continue her essential work and rejoin her community while her case proceeds.
Dean Eileen Fry-Bowers of the USF’s School of Nursing and Health Professions has created a petition calling for Ann’s release and a GoFundMe to help cover urgent legal fees and family expenses.
In addition to USF’s School of Nursing and Health Professions leadership team working behind the scenes to ensure the education of our students continues without interruption, Professor Bill Ong Hing and the USF School of Law Immigration and Deportation Defense Clinic, as well as School of Law Dean Johanna Kalb, are involved in the case.
Congressman Josh Harder, aided by Sen. Adam Schiff and Rep. Kevin Mullin ’92, is leading an effort seeking Ann’s release. USF has also been in contact with Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, Sen. Alex Padilla, Rep. Lateefah Simon MPA ’22, San Francisco Mayor Lurie's office, and the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities, as well as the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities.