Steven Orrego Upegui was detained by ICE at LaGuardia Airport in New York City while on his way to celebrate his mother's birthday, then chained and transferred to a detention facility in Pennsylvania, where he spent 15 days in custody before being released with help from his partner and family. He has since filed a federal habeas corpus petition in the Southern District of New York challenging his detention and potential removal. A federal judge has ordered that he not be removed from the United States or transferred outside the New York City area while the case proceeds, with the government required to respond by August 12, 2026, and a hearing scheduled for August 18. He continues to raise funds to cover his legal defense and attorney fees.