Immigration agents detain Miami United midfielder at Florida airport before championship match

Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers detained Argentine midfielder Matías Pourrain at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport while Miami United Football Club was preparing to travel to Los Angeles for the United Premier Soccer League championship game. The club released an Instagram message before the match, pledging legal aid and ongoing contact with Pourrain’s family. A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson indicated the player had overstayed a visa that was originally approved in 2019.

Pourrain’s brother, Juan Pourrain, countered that his sibling possessed asylum status and a Social Security number but was waiting for a scheduled appointment. The player is currently incarcerated at the Glades County Detention Center, according to the ICE detainee database. The team subsequently lost the championship match.