Allan Michael Marrero has been reunited with his husband, Matthew, after spending 150 days in ICE detention following what was meant to be a routine green card appointment in New York City.
Marrero celebrated his return at a press conference held at Middle Church in New York City, where supporters gathered to welcome him home.
Speaking at the event, Marrero thanked Matthew “for not allowing me to give up on myself”.
“Thank you, I love you,” he said.
Marrero also described the fear and physical toll of his time in detention. He said he was “terrified every night” and recalled being repeatedly moved between facilities.
“I was transferred from the federal building in New York City to New Jersey; to New Jersey to Arizona; to Texas; to Florida Alligator Alcatraz; to Natchez, Mississippi.”
He told those gathered that the constant transfers took a serious physical toll.
“The transfers that occurred every night took a physical toll,” Marrero said, adding: “This is where they would chain you by your ankles, connected to your waist, connected to your wrists for up to eight hours at a time.”
His attorney, Alex Rizio, said Marrero has “absolutely no criminal history”.
Green card appointment arrest
Marrero’s ordeal began after an interview in November 2025 as part of his green card process.
Originally from the Cayman Islands, Marrero married Matthew two years ago and had begun the legal process to obtain a green card.
Matthew said the couple arrived at the appointment with extensive evidence of their relationship, including “a three-inch binder of our entire life — photos, letters, everything”.
However, he said the interview quickly became tense.
“I looked over at my husband when she asked how we met — just instinct. He’s the love of my life,” Matthew said, adding: “She snapped her fingers in my face and said, ‘Don’t look at him.’ We’re telling our love story, and I’m not even allowed to look at my husband.”
Rizio said Marrero had not known there was a removal order against him.
“[He] didn’t realise that he had a removal order in his name,” Rizio said, adding: “When you have a removal order, it means ICE can pick you up at any moment. He walked into that interview completely unaware that he was at risk of being arrested on the spot.”
Homecoming and calls for others to be freed
At the press conference, Marrero said the experience of detention is still affecting him.
He said he sometimes sits quietly “because I’m so used to it, not wanting to upset the guards”.
Rep. Dan Goldman also attended the event and said 30 others had been released alongside Marrero.
In a post on X, Goldman wrote: “Allan’s story is a reminder that our immigration system is being weaponised against those simply trying to follow the rules.”
He added: “I will continue to use every tool in Congress to fight back and push for true accountability and reform.”
Matthew said the couple would continue advocating for others who remain in detention.
“Love has brought him home,” he said. “But justice still has work to do.”
