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Venezuelan soccer captain detained by ICE at airport despite pending asylum case

Sep 30, 2026·Location: Pompano Beach, FL

Country of origin: Venezuela

Venezuelan soccer captain detained by ICE at airport despite pending asylum case
Photo via Instagram

Claudia Carolina Rodríguez Caglianone, a 28-year-old Venezuelan immigrant who served as captain of St. Thomas University's soccer team and earned bachelor's and master's degrees there, was detained by ICE at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on July 31, 2026, while trying to board a domestic flight. She had entered the U.S. in 2017 on a tourist visa, applied for asylum within six months, and held Temporary Protected Status until it expired in October. Her family said she was held for eight days at the Miramar ICE field office without being able to shower or change clothes, losing 15 pounds, before being transferred to facilities including the Broward Transitional Center and Pompano Beach. Her former coach praised her leadership and character. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz visited the facility, criticized ICE for detaining 'law-abiding residents like Claudia,' and raised concerns about hundreds of similar detainees, with the resulting public pressure contributing to her eventual release.

Timeline

Sep 30, 2026—Transferred between ICE facilities including Broward Transitional Center and Pompano Beach before being released following public pressure
Aug 3, 2026—Family reports she was held for eight days at the Miramar ICE field office without proper hygiene or sleeping accommodations, losing 15 pounds
Aug 3, 2026—Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz visits detention facility and publicly calls for her release
Jul 31, 2026—Detained by ICE at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport while boarding a domestic flight
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