Argentine soccer player Matías Pourrain details ICE detention

Matías Pourrain, a 34-year-old Argentine midfielder for the semi-professional club Miami United, has described his 22-day immigration detention in the United States as “torture” and “pure terror.”

On August 6, Pourrain was apprehended by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport while preparing to travel to Los Angeles with his teammates. Although Pourrain had been living in Florida since 2019 and held a work permit, ICE officials stated he was in an irregular status. According to ICE, Pourrain entered the country legally in November 2019 but remained past his authorized period after May 11, 2020.

Pourrain reported being handcuffed at both his hands and ankles and transported in an unmarked van. Following his initial detention in Miramar, Florida, he was transferred to Texas. He described the experience as mentally harrowing and characterized the conditions as “inhumane.” He remains in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.