70-year-old Worcester woman released after being detained at Logan Airport, immigration advocate says

A 70-year-old Worcester woman has been released after being taken into federal custody Tuesday at Logan International Airport in Boston, according to an immigration advocate.

The woman was identified as Ruth Mufute by Jonathan Goldman, executive director of the Brown University-affiliated Student Clinic for Immigrant Justice, and federal court records appear to confirm that. In a statement Wednesday, he said Mufute is a permanent U.S. resident and grandmother who had been traveling back to Massachusetts after vacationing with family in Zimbabwe.

Goldman and other supporters were outside the federal courthouse in Boston Wednesday as Mufute appeared for a hearing. Court records show the U.S. Department of Justice had a warrant for her arrest related to charges in North Carolina for allegedly defrauding USAID dating back to 2014.

Defense attorneys listed in the records did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Goldman said Mufute was released about 3 p.m. Wednesday and is with her family. He said she has worked for his organization for several months.

"Just on Sunday, Ruth had texted me her travel itinerary for her return to the United States," Goldman said outside court. "We had talked several times about planning for something like this — but we never really thought it was going to happen." He described her as a lawful resident "who has spent decades giving back to her community."

Mufute has worked for a Worcester-based nonprofit since 2024 and previously worked for a USAID-funded public health organization in Africa, according to the statement.

“Ruth’s detention is a part of an alarming pattern we are seeing nationally of harsh family separation practices, increased surveillance of immigrant communities and leaders, and threats to sanctuary cities," Jéssica Oliveira, co-director of Matahari Women Workers’ Center, said in the statement.

With reporting from WBUR's Todd Wallack.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.