Iliana Lick Detained by ICE in U.S. Ahead of World Cup 2026

Iliana Noelí Lick, a 30‑year‑old Argentine citizen, was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on 11 July at Philadelphia International Airport. She was stopped minutes before boarding a flight to Kansas City, where she intended to watch Argentina play in the 2026 World Cup. Lick had entered the United States legally on 17 March 2023, but her tourist visa had expired and she was in the process of regularising her status. Her partner, Steven Melchiorre, told CBS News that she called him crying, saying, “ICE arrested me. I’m in the detention center in Philadelphia.” He said she has never been convicted of a crime and has complied with all court appearances.

Lick is now held in a detention facility in New Mexico while awaiting a bail hearing. Her family and friends have started a fundraising campaign that has collected more than USD 16,000 toward a USD 24,000 goal to cover legal fees, bail and related costs. The case has drawn attention to heightened ICE activity and the challenges faced by migrants with expired visas who are seeking to regularise their stay.