Argentinian footballer Matías Alejandro Purren, detained by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Florida, was taken to a migrant detention center.
The 34-year-old Argentinian footballer remains in ICE custody after being detained on August 6 at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Florida. The Miami United FC player was traveling with his teammates to Los Angeles to participate in the national semifinals of the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL).
According to updated information from the Miami Herald on August 12, Purren was detained after he and his teammates passed a security check at the airport. Initially, he was taken to the ICE processing center in Miramar. Later, according to Telemundo 51, he was being transported to the Krome North Processing Center in Miami, but according to the latest data, he was eventually taken to the Glades County Detention Center in Moore Haven, where he remains in custody.
The Miami Herald noted that after passing the security check, three people approached Purren. The club confirmed that before the detention, the footballer was separated from his teammates. In addition to playing for the main squad of Miami United, he also works as a coach for the club’s youth academy.
Position of the U.S. Government
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) states that Purren legally entered the United States on November 12, 2019, through Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, receiving permission to stay for six months. According to the official version quoted by the Miami Herald, this period ended on May 11, 2020, but the footballer remained in the country after this date.
The DHS noted that Purren will remain in custody while his deportation case is considered and will have all the procedural guarantees provided by law. The agency also reported that ICE arrested Purren on August 6 at Fort Lauderdale Airport.
Footballer’s Defense
The defense of Purren presents a different version regarding his immigration status. According to his lawyer Regina de Moraes, who commented to Telemundo 51, Purren has an asylum application under consideration, as well as a valid work permit. The Miami Herald also cited the position of the player’s previous club, Club de Lyon FC, which states that Purren has a work permit and a Florida state ID and has no criminal record. These statements reflect the position of the defense and the club but do not change the official DHS data regarding the expiration of his stay permit.
The lawyer filed a petition for release on bail and requested a hearing before an immigration judge, reported the New York Post.
Miami United FC expressed support for Purren and stated that it is cooperating with his family and legal team. In an official statement, the club noted that it is “deeply saddened” by the detention and has been providing assistance to the footballer and his loved ones from the very beginning.
Purren joined Miami United in 2026. Before that, he played for Club de Lyon FC in the Orlando area and was the team captain until December 2025, according to the Miami Herald. The club also shared a message of support for the player on social media and questioned the description of his immigration situation provided by the U.S. authorities.
Source: La Nación
