Uber driver accused of sexually assaulting young woman now faces ICE arrest detainer after overstaying visa

Sameh Mohamad Chami, an illegal immigrant, is charged with aggravated kidnapping of an Uber passenger. (DHS)

| Published August 18, 2025

Lebanese national let in under Biden administration and overstayed visa before allegedly committing violent crime against woman

A Texas Uber driver accused of sexually assaulting a young woman is now facing possible deportation after federal authorities discovered he had overstayed his visa by more than three years.

The Incident

Police in Friendswood, Texas, said the assault occurred after a 21-year-old woman ordered an Uber ride home. According to investigators, the driver, Sameh Mohamad Chami, accepted the request and picked her up.

During the ride, the woman reported feeling tired and eventually fell asleep in the back seat. Instead of completing the trip and taking her to her destination, police say Chami ended the ride in the app before reaching her home.

When the victim woke up, she was no longer in the back seat but had been moved to the front passenger seat. Her shorts were unbuttoned, and she realized Chami allegedly had his hands inside her clothing. Authorities said the car was parked near a school rather than at her residence.

The woman immediately contacted police, who responded to the scene. Chami was taken into custody and later charged with aggravated kidnapping and sexual assault, both serious felonies in Texas. Officials emphasized that the driver intentionally ended the trip early and diverted from the intended route, further supporting the kidnapping charge.

Immigration Background

Records from the Department of Homeland Security show that Sameh Mohamad Chami first entered the United States on December 2, 2021, using a B-2 tourist visa. This visa category is typically issued to foreign nationals for short-term visits such as tourism, family visits, or business meetings.

Chami’s permission to remain in the U.S. was later extended, allowing him to stay until December 1, 2022. However, authorities confirmed that he failed to depart when that period expired. By the time of his arrest in August 2025, he had been unlawfully present in the United States for more than three years beyond his authorized stay.

The overstay transformed his legal entry into an immigration violation, placing him among the estimated hundreds of thousands of foreign nationals who remain in the U.S. each year after their visas expire. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) noted that these cases often go undetected unless individuals come into contact with law enforcement, as Chami did following the assault allegations.

After his arrest, ICE lodged an immigration detainer — a request directing local authorities to keep him in custody rather than release him into the community. The detainer ensures that when his criminal case concludes, he can be transferred directly into federal custody for removal proceedings.

Official Statement

Following Chami’s arrest, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issued a strong response. Officials confirmed both his expired visa status and ICE’s decision to file a detainer, ensuring he will not be released into the community while his case moves through the courts.

DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin condemned the alleged assault in forceful terms, describing it as a case that demonstrates the danger posed when individuals remain in the country unlawfully. “This depraved criminal was charged with aggravated kidnapping after he allegedly sexually assaulted a 21-year-old girl,” McLaughlin said, stressing that the government must do more to prevent those without legal status from slipping through the cracks.

ICE also emphasized that the detainer against Chami was filed to protect public safety. The agency reiterated its mission of identifying and removing individuals who violate immigration laws, particularly when those violations are paired with criminal charges. By keeping Chami in custody, ICE stated, authorities can ensure that he faces both criminal accountability and immigration consequences.

The case has also been held up by DHS as an example of why immigration enforcement remains critical. Officials noted that while Chami entered the country legally, his choice to remain past his visa deadline placed him outside the bounds of the law — a situation that escalated into a direct threat to community safety once the alleged assault occurred.

Ride-Share Safety Concerns

The allegations against Sameh Mohamad Chami have reignited concerns about the safety of ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft, which millions of Americans rely on daily. While the vast majority of rides are completed without incident, critics argue that even isolated cases can have devastating consequences for passengers, especially young women traveling alone late at night.

Passenger safety has been a recurring issue for the industry. Uber’s own safety report, released in past years, acknowledged thousands of reported sexual assaults nationwide linked to rides arranged through the platform. Although the company has implemented background checks, in-app safety features, and options such as “share my trip” alerts, advocates say these measures have not eliminated the risks.

Chami’s case also raises questions about the adequacy of driver vetting. Immigration authorities confirmed he had been living in the U.S. unlawfully for more than three years after overstaying a visa, yet he was still able to pass Uber’s onboarding process and work as a driver. This gap highlights a vulnerability in the system: while background checks may detect criminal histories, they do not necessarily identify immigration violations or expired visa statuses.

Public safety experts note that the ride-share industry has grown so quickly that regulations have not always kept pace. Traditional taxi services often require more stringent licensing and periodic reviews, while ride-share companies operate on lighter state-level requirements. Law enforcement officials now warn that without stronger safeguards — including closer cooperation between federal authorities and private companies — cases like Chami’s could happen again.

For riders, the incident is another reminder to remain vigilant: verifying the driver and vehicle before entering, using safety features in the app, and notifying friends or family of their route. Still, the burden of protection cannot rest solely on passengers, critics argue; the companies themselves must ensure that drivers operating under their brand meet the highest possible standards of safety and accountability.

What Comes Next

For now, Sameh Mohamad Chami remains in custody in Texas as his criminal case moves forward. Prosecutors are pursuing charges of aggravated kidnapping and sexual assault, both of which carry serious penalties under Texas law. If convicted, Chami could face a lengthy prison sentence before being transferred into federal custody for immigration proceedings.

In the meantime, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has confirmed its detainer against him, ensuring that he will not be released locally even if he posts bond or completes his state charges. Once the criminal process concludes, ICE intends to initiate formal removal proceedings to deport him from the United States.

The case will likely fuel ongoing discussions about how to prevent similar incidents in the future. Advocates for stronger immigration enforcement may point to Chami’s three-year visa overstay as evidence of a system in need of reform, while public safety advocates are expected to call for tighter regulations and accountability measures within the ride-share industry.

Uber, which has faced criticism in the past over safety lapses, may also come under renewed pressure to explain how a driver living in the country unlawfully was able to work on its platform. Whether the company responds with stricter screening requirements or additional rider protections remains to be seen.

For the 21-year-old victim, the immediate concern is justice in the courtroom. For policymakers, law enforcement, and millions of Americans who use ride-sharing services, Chami’s case serves as a broader warning: failures in both immigration oversight and corporate safety standards can have real and dangerous consequences.

 Implications

1. Public Safety and Ride-Sharing Risks

• The case underscores concerns about passenger safety in ride-hailing services like Uber.

• Even though most rides are safe, one incident like this damages public trust.

• Raises questions: Are current driver screening methods sufficient? Should companies work more closely with immigration authorities to verify legal status?

2. Immigration Enforcement Challenges

• Chami legally entered the U.S. but overstayed his visa by more than three years.

• His case highlights how visa overstays, not just illegal border crossings, contribute to the undocumented population.

• ICE’s quick action with a detainer shows the system can work — but also points to gaps in monitoring expired visas before crimes occur.

3. Policy and Government Accountability

• DHS and ICE are now forced to step in after a serious alleged crime.

• This raises questions about the effectiveness of federal oversight on expired visas.

• While Fox News presented it as a law-and-order issue, the case indirectly touches immigration debates without diving into partisanship.

4. Community Impact

• For Texas residents, especially women using ride-shares, this case may heighten anxiety.

• It may also renew calls for stronger cooperation between local police and federal immigration enforcement.

• Employers like Uber could face pressure to ensure stricter compliance with identity and background checks.

 Overall Takeaway:

The arrest of Sameh Mohamad Chami is more than a disturbing crime story — it’s a stark example of how weak immigration enforcement can endanger American communities. Chami had no legal right to remain in the country, yet lived here for years unchecked until police say he assaulted a young woman. While ICE’s intervention may keep him off the streets for now, the case underscores a hard truth: when visa overstays go unaddressed and federal oversight fails, innocent Americans are left to pay the price. Stronger immigration controls and tougher accountability are not just political talking points — they are matters of public safety.

SOURCES: FOX NEWS – Uber driver accused of sexually assaulting young woman now faces ICE arrest detainer after overstaying visa

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