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Gay asylum seeker detained at green card interview, held for months despite judge's bond order

May 15, 2026 · New York, NY

Gay asylum seeker detained at green card interview, held for months despite judge's bond order

Allan Dabrio Marrero, a gay asylum seeker from the Cayman Islands, was detained by ICE on November 24, 2024, immediately after attending a marriage-based green card interview at 26 Federal Plaza in New York City with his U.S. citizen husband Matthew. Although USCIS approved his marriage petition, ICE agents arrested him outside the building after discovering a 2022 removal order that Marrero claims he never received—he states he was in a rehabilitation center when the hearing occurred. Advocates and faith leaders, including Make the Road New York and Middle Collegiate Church, called for his release, citing ICE's failure to provide prescribed medication for anxiety and depression and the lack of notice regarding the original hearing. A motion to reopen his deportation case paused removal proceedings but did not secure immediate release. A judge granted Marrero release on $6,000 bond on January 27, 2026, finding no flight risk given his clean record and marriage to a U.S. citizen. However, ICE refused to accept the bond payment and continued his detention across five facilities. Marrero was finally released on May 15, 2026, reuniting with his husband at Middle Collegiate Church after nearly five months in custody.

Timeline

May 15, 2026Marrero released from ICE custody after nearly five months in detention across five facilities; reunited with husband Matthew at Middle Collegiate Church
Jan 27, 2026Judge granted Marrero release on $6,000 bond at bail hearing in Mississippi, finding no flight risk despite DHS opposition; ICE refused to accept bond payment
Dec 9, 2024Faith leaders and advocates publicly called for Marrero's release, citing ICE's failure to provide prescribed medication for anxiety and depression
Nov 25, 2024Marrero placed in isolation and transferred to ICE detention center in Newark, New Jersey; Make the Road New York filed motion to reopen deportation case
Nov 24, 2024Allan Dabrio Marrero detained by ICE immediately after marriage-based green card interview at 26 Federal Plaza in New York City; USCIS had approved his marriage petition but ICE discovered a 2022 removal order

Sources

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