Argentinian Acrobats Arrested by ICE at Phoenix Airport Amid Rising Apprehensions
In a recent incident highlighting increasing enforcement activity, two Argentinian performers, Agustin Baccega and Gustavo Romanello, were detained by plainclothes ICE agents at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. The arrest, described by ICE as a “targeted enforcement action,” has raised concerns among immigration advocates.
Baccega and Romanello, a married couple who arrived in the United States on visas in 2020, had requested asylum shortly after their arrival. Despite holding valid work permits and maintaining a clean criminal record, their ongoing asylum petitions did not prevent their arrest.
According to Phoenix-based immigration attorney Ray Ybarra Maldonado, his firm, which represents the couple, has observed a marked increase in arrests of individuals with similar profiles this year. “We’re talking about individuals who follow the law, and ask for entry into the country, timely file asylum applications, have work permits that give them authorization to work from anywhere in the country,” Maldonado stated. “Nonetheless, ICE goes and surprises them, and essentially kidnaps them at the airport.”
ICE justified the arrest by stating that both men had overstayed their visas. Fernando Burgos-Ortiz, a spokesperson for the agency, remarked, “work authorization or a pending application does not grant legal status in the United States,” explaining why the agency pursued the arrests despite ongoing asylum processes.
Maldonado highlighted the growing trend of targeted arrests at airports, including Phoenix Sky Harbor, although the specific role of the airport remains unclear. He noted, “ICE is now trying to set up a process by, if you voluntarily give your information, about how you were abused, and how your life is threatened in your country of origin, instead of an interview at USCIS, we can just show up at your house, put you in handcuffs and put you in a detention center.” He added that this level of ICE activity is unprecedented in his 17 years of practice.
ICE has not disclosed how they were aware of Baccega and Romanello’s presence at the airport, nor did they confirm if warrants were involved. Burgos-Ortiz stated in an email, “For operational and security reasons, we do not disclose law enforcement methods.”
Monica Hernandez from the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport’s public relations division directed further inquiries to the Department of Homeland Security, clarifying that the airport is not informed of federal law enforcement activities. She emphasized that federal agencies have the legal authority to conduct operations at the airport, stating, “PHX is a public-use airport subject to federal regulation and federal agencies have access to airport property. This includes pre- and post-security areas in the terminals, the airfield, and other public areas such as parking facilities.”
—
Read More Arizona News
