Argentine soccer player detained by ICE at airport, released after 3 weeks in custody
Sep 13, 2026·Location: Miami, FL
Country of origin: Argentina

Matías Alejandro Pourrain, a 34-year-old Argentine soccer player for Miami United FC and youth coach, was detained by ICE agents at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on August 6 while preparing to travel with his team to a championship match. He had lived in South Florida since 2019, held a work permit, Social Security number, and Florida state ID, and said he had no criminal record. Pourrain was transferred across multiple facilities, including Krome, one in Miramar, and one in Laredo, Texas, describing being shackled for extended periods, held in overcrowded rooms, and given little or moldy food. His teams, Miami United FC and Club de Lyon FC, described him as an exceptional player and beloved member of their organizations, while his wife, Stefi Almandoz, remained in Miami during his detention. His attorney, Regina Borges, secured a bail hearing, and he was released on a $20,000 bond on August 28 after nearly three weeks in custody, opting for phone check-ins instead of an ankle monitor so he could continue coaching. DHS said Pourrain had overstayed his authorized six-month stay and disputed his claims of inhumane conditions.
Timeline
Sources
- Florida soccer player detained by ice at airport before Championship final
Newsweek·Aug 10, 2026·archived copy
- Argentine footballer detained in Miami by ICE to be held ‘at least another week’ - Buenos Aires Herald
buenosairesherald.com·Aug 10, 2026·archived copy
- ICE Arrests Soccer Player at Airport as He Eats With Team
The Daily Beast·Aug 12, 2026·archived copy
- Club says Argentinian pro soccer player detained by ICE in Florida
upi.com·Aug 7, 2026
- Un futbolista argentino fue detenido por ICE en el aeropuerto de Miami cuando viajaba a jugar un partido
infobae.com·Aug 7, 2026·archived copy
- La policía inmigratoria de Trump detuvo a un futbolista argentino que juega en una liga de Estados Unidos
lanacion.com.ar·Aug 7, 2026·archived copy
- ICE detains Argentine soccer player before final; had valid work permit
heraldousa.com·2026-8-9T14:56:00-06:00·archived copy
- ICE Arrests Argentine Soccer Player Matias Alejandro Pourrain at Airport Hours Before He Was to Play Final
timesnownews.com·Aug 11, 2026·archived copy
- ICE detains Argentinian semipro soccer player at Miami airport
miaminewtimes.com·Aug 11, 2026·archived copy
- ICE Detains Argentine Soccer Player at Florida Airport
newser.com·Aug 12, 2026·archived copy
- "They torture you mentally": Argentine soccer player describes 3 weeks in ICE detention
heraldousa.com·2026-8-31T13:15:00-06:00
- Argentine Soccer Player Matías Pourrain Freed After 22 Days in ICE Detention: A Harrowing Ordeal
imago.com.ar·Sep 1, 2026
- Professional soccer player describes weeks in ICE custody after arrest
local10.com·Sep 14, 2026
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