Brazilian father freed after seven months in ICE detention, granted green card
Aug 16, 2026·Location: ME
Country of origin: Brazil

Marcos Gaspar-Da Silva, a general contractor and former attorney from Brazil living in Bridgton, Maine, was detained by ICE on January 20 after being pulled over in Portland during an enforcement operation. He had a pending asylum case, no criminal record, and a marriage-based green card petition filed by his U.S. citizen wife, Alessia. Over nearly seven months in custody, he was transferred through facilities in Massachusetts, Louisiana and Arizona, where he and his wife described overcrowding, unsanitary conditions and inadequate medical care, including going untreated for a toothache until the tooth was pulled and losing more than 26 pounds. U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree's staff supported Alessia and helped expedite his petition while pressing officials about his medical care. In August, an immigration judge granted him adjustment of status to lawful permanent resident through his wife's petition, and he was released on August 13, reuniting with his wife and 11-year-old daughter, though he described lasting emotional numbness and difficulty eating and sleeping.
Timeline
Sources
- ICE detained husband awaiting green card for months—"I don’t have emotions"
Newsweek·Aug 27, 2026
- ICE dumps legal U.S. resident in Mesa after 7 months in detention
phoenixnewtimes.com·Aug 25, 2026·archived copy
- Gaspar DaSilva Returning to Maine After Nearly Seven Months in ICE Custody
themainewire.com·Aug 16, 2026·archived copy
- Bridgton man released from ICE detention after nearly seven months
WMTW·Aug 16, 2026·archived copy
- Bridgton man freed after nearly seven months in ICE custody
WGME·Aug 16, 2026·archived copy
- Bridgton man back home in Maine after nearly seven months in ICE detention
mainepublic.org·Aug 18, 2026·archived copy
- Bridgton man returns to Maine after nearly seven months in ICE detention
Yahoo News·Aug 17, 2026·archived copy
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