ICE Detains Green Card Applicant After Missed Mail: 'A Perfect Storm of Immigration Injustice'

A devastating turn of events has unfolded for Allan Dabrio Marrero, a green card applicant who was detained by ICE agents at 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan on November 24. The 10-year US resident, who has been living in the country with his husband Matthew, was taken into custody after missing a piece of mail from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) during a move. Marrero, a citizen of the Cayman Islands, had applied for asylum in the US due to persecution as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. He had worked, paid taxes, and followed every rule of the US immigration system, including attending previous hearings. However, his case took a dramatic turn when he missed the mail, which USCIS marked as a failure to appear for a hearing – a serious allegation that can lead to deportation proceedings. Marrero's husband and their church family are now fighting for his release. They have launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover the costs of his detention, including transportation, living expenses, and legal fees. The campaign has raised over $16,000 so far, with a target of $18,000. "This is a perfect storm of immigration injustice," said Matthew Marrero, Allan's husband. "My husband is a contributing member of society, proud to want to be an American. He has never been in trouble with the law and has always followed the rules.