An Argentine couple was arrested by two agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after traveling from Orlando to Phoenix to attend a friend's funeral. Loved ones started a fundraiser to cover legal expenses and secure their release.
They are Gustavo Romanello and Agustín Baccega, who work as acrobats and have lived in the United States for six years. According to Jonathan Batchelor, a friend of both men, on the fundraising website, the two men were detained last Saturday at Phoenix's Sky Harbor airport.
"On Saturday, November 7, Agustín and Gustavo landed at Phoenix Sky Harbor airport to pay their condolences to a dear friend who had passed away in Phoenix the night before. Minutes after their arrival, two men in plain clothes stopped Agustín and handcuffed him. When Gustavo asked where they were taking Agustín, they detained him as well. Both are now in ICE custody," Batchelor recounted.
The Argentine couple detained by ICE
Instagram
As he detailed, Romanello and Baccega have lived in the United States since 2020, hold valid work permits, pay their taxes, and keep their documents in order. "However, none of that prevented their arrest. For more than six years, they have taught, trained, and performed as acrobats, delighting both children and adults. They have trained countless acrobats and performers in Orlando and Arizona, many of whom would not be where they are without them. Each has a full-time job and, in addition, a part-time one. Those who know them know how hard they work and the joy they bring to those around them," he said.
The detentions
Last Wednesday, Batchelor said he managed to reach Romanello by phone at the Florence Service Processing Center and communicate with Baccega via text messages, as he remains at the Eloy Detention Center.
Loved ones started a fundraiser to cover legal expenses
Screenshot
"We are told that, after four days in detention, they have finally been given a blanket and a towel each. Text messages cost 35 cents each, and phone calls have cost as much as 55 dollars for less than 20 minutes. They are still not allowed visits, and no one has given us an explanation. Journalists covering ICE detentions have told us to expect a long and hard battle," he warned.
He also noted that Romanello has a bond hearing scheduled for next Wednesday, but there is still no date for Baccega.
To cover the costs of hiring lawyers, a fundraiser was started on the "Go Fund Me" website: they have already raised more than $50,000.
The Argentine acrobats were detained last Saturday
Instagram
"My friend Gustavo Romanello and his husband have been detained by ICE. Both are great acrobats and teachers. Gustavo has been an international pole sport and artistic competitor. They have been working in the United States for 6 years at theme parks and major acrobatic shows. They have everything legalized, and this was no impediment to their detention," wrote Yasmina de Haro, a friend of the couple, on Instagram.