AI-generated summary
Rabbiatu Kuyateh fled Sierra Leone to the United States over 30 years ago and works as a nurse with two jobs. She lives with her son Mohamed Al Ghali and her dependent parents in a house they recently purchased in Maryland.
Rabbiatu Kuyateh fled Sierra Leone to the USA over 30 years ago. She is a nurse and has two jobs, one during the day and one at night. She recently bought a house with her son Mohamed Al Ghali in a small town in the US state of Maryland. They live there with Rabbiatu's parents, who are in need of care.
Once a year, Rabbiatu must report to ICE to extend her immigration status. This was also the case on July 1, 2025. Mohamed accompanied her there. But this time he comes back alone. For Mohamed, a battle begins that will last many months and span several continents. He and Rabbiatu find themselves caught up in a system that is currently tearing hundreds of thousands of families apart.
Mohamed vs. ICE – An American Nightmare is a podcast series from What Now? and the investigative department of ZEIT.
Moderation, script and research: Mounia Meiborg
Research: Yassin Musharbash, Martín Steinhagen, Kai Biermann, Sascha Venohr, forbidden stories
Editors: Helena Schmidt and André Dér-Hörmeyer
Production and sound design: Joscha Grunewald and Markus Brille
Project management: Constanze Kainz
Thanks to: Andrea Böhm, Bastian Berbner, Hannah Grünewald, Celine Rolle, Emma Möllenbrock
You are welcome to send us your feedback and thoughts about this series to [email protected]
You can listen to all episodes of “Mohamed against ICE – an American nightmare” with a digital or podcast subscription to ZEIT.
You can find all information about the podcast subscription at www.zeit.de/podcastabo
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Mohamed Al Ghali will face a lengthy legal battle against his expulsion.
Likely · Within months
In the ZDF morning magazine “Moma,” a viewer from a community band unexpectedly responded to the question about the hottest summer since recordings began with “Nice” and “Yes, it was bearable,” which left moderator Benjamin Stöwe briefly speechless and embarrassed to have to continue the live broadcast.
The podcast series “Mohamed vs. ICE – an American nightmare” from “What Now?” and the ZEIT investigative department tells the story of Rabbiatu, who fled from Sierra Leone and now lives in West Africa, and Mohamed, who alone cares for his sick grandparents in Maryland and fights against deportations. The series is hosted and produced by Mounia Meiborg.

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