A 34-year-old midfielder for Miami United FC never made it to his team’s national championship match in Los Angeles—he was detained by ICE while eating pizza at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport instead. Argentine player Matías Pourrain was taken into custody on Thursday and moved to Glades County Detention Center after three days at ICE’s Miramar office, reports the Miami New Times, where his attorney says he slept sitting up in an overcrowded cell and went without a shower. Miami United, a fourth-tier semi-pro club, said in a statement that it was “deeply shocked” and has provided him with legal help. “We are with you, Matías,” it said.
The Department of Homeland Security says Pourrain entered the US legally in November 2019 on a six-month stay and then remained past May 2020, calling him “an illegal alien from Argentina” who violated immigration law. His brother told Argentina’s Todo Noticias that Pourrain had applied for asylum and held a work permit and Social Security number while awaiting an appointment. “It seems that now they are arresting those who have pending appointments,” said Juan Pourrain. ICE says he’ll stay in custody during removal proceedings and touted a program offering money and flights to those who “self-deport.” Pourrain’s lawyer has filed a motion for bond and requested a hearing.