Overview
- Marrero, released after nearly five months in detention, stood with his husband at a Tuesday press conference at Manhattan’s Middle Church.
- ICE arrested him during a routine marriage-based green card interview at 26 Federal Plaza after officials found a prior removal order tied to a court date he missed while in alcohol rehab.
- He was shuttled through facilities in New Jersey, Arizona, Texas, Florida’s Everglades center known as “Alligator Alcatraz,” and Mississippi.
- Advocates say he was denied his prescription medication in custody and pressured by ICE agents to self-deport rather than pursue his case.
- His attorney says a judge granted bond in January but DHS blocked his release, then ICE refused to process the bond until she filed a federal complaint in April, after which the agency accepted it and he was freed; his immigration case continues and he still must seek a green card.