ICE releases man who spent five months in its custody, went on appointment for permanent residence
Allan Michael Marrero, detained by ICE for 150 days, returns home to New York after community support and legal action
Allan Michael Marrero, detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents during a routine appointment processing his residence card, returned to his home on the Lower East Side of New York after spending 150 days in custody.
The liberation was received with an emotional celebration at Middle Church, where family members, religious leaders and local authorities gathered.
ICE detained him during an immigration appointment
Marrero, originally from the Cayman Islands, was arrested on 24 November 2025 due to an old deportation order em issued in 2022 for failing to appear at an immigration hearing related to a tourist visa that had expired in 2013.
However, he had started his asylum process due to his LGBTQ identity within the time allowed on his visa.
During his detention, Marrero was transferred to five ICE detention centers in different states, including New Jersey, Arizona, Texas, Florida and Mississippi. swimming for hours, they were physically and emotionally exhausting. “The night transfers were exhausting physically. Here they chained you by your ankles, to your waist and to your wrists for up to eight hours at a time,” said Marrero.
Judge ordered his release on bail
Despite a judge ordering his release on bail in January, ICE refused to accept him, keeping him in custody has that a judicial lawsuit allowed his departure.His attorney, Alex Rizio, of Make the Road New York, highlighted that Marrero doesn't have criminal records and thanked the collaboration of the community that fought for his liberation. “We are here thanks to the strength of Allan, the love of Matthew and a community of people who use their talent and their passion to achieve justice,” Rizio noted. Marrero's husband, Matthew, expressed his joy at Allan's return and noted that the experience has reinforced I love his commitment to support those who remain in ICE custody. “Love has brought him back home, but justice “I still have work to do,” Matthew Marrero said. The couple hopes their story will serve as an example and motivation for other families affected by immigration detentions and will continue working to get Marrero a green card.