SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- A Nigerian immigrant who teaches at the University of San Francisco was arrested by federal agents and sent 2,000 miles away to a detention facility in Louisiana, university officials said. Ann Lawani, a nurse and assistant professor for USF's School of Nursing Health Profe ssions, was detained at her home in Lodi by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on September 16, officials said. She has remained in custody at the ICE facility ever since. Lawani, who holds a doctorate in nursing science, is an "integral part of our university community," USF wrote. "We will continue to advocate for her release so that she may continue her essential work and rejoin her community while her case proceeds." Lawani's brother, Samuel, said his sister is considered a scholar in her profession, a dedicated nurse, and a skilled educator who trains future nurses. "For someone that vital to the community to be tracked, abruptly vacuumed into an abyss and moved across the country, is simply evil and consequential. My family and I want to see my sister returned home safely and as soon as possible, and like so many families in our community, we want an end to the chaos caused by these agencies," Samuel wrote. A Change.org petition urging ICE to release the professor racked up 20,000 signatures by Thursday afternoon. San Mateo family left struggling after father detained by ICE State Sen. Jerry McNerney condemned ICE's actions. McNerney said, "Ann Lawani is a highly respected and beloved nurse and professor who lives in my Senate district. ICE disappearing her from her home is an absolute outrage. It’s even more outrageous that ICE essentially kidnapped Professor Lawani, shackled her at the ankles, waist and hands, and secreted her to Louisiana. ICE is operating out of control – and has been since Trump took office." DHS explains why ICE agents arrested UC Berkeley student U.S. Rep. Josh Harder wrote a letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security demanding Lawani's release from the detention center. "There is no apparent public safety justification for keeping Dr. Lawani detained thousands of miles from home while her case proceeds," Harder wrote. "Our immigration enforcement system should focus on protecting communities from danger, not removing the individuals who dedicate their lives to serving them." Department of Homeland Security officials said Lawani was issued a final order of removal in 2013. She legally entered the U.S. in 2007, however, her admission expired later that same year, according to DHS.  ...read more read less