A father from the United Kingdom is facing separation from his wife and three-year-old twin sons in the United States after being taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during his Green Card interview.
Connor Read, 29, who has resided in Florida for over two decades, was detained on June 3 due to insufficient authorization to stay in the country and a removal order directing him to leave. His family is now urgently trying to prevent his deportation from the nation where he has primarily lived. Connor is one of over 51,000 undocumented individuals currently held in ICE detention centers, marking the highest figure since September 2019.
During his Green Card application process with his wife Jaelin, Connor was detained at their interview despite having completed the initial stage by filing an I-130 petition. This petition’s approval on the same day offers hope for reopening Connor’s case, which could halt his deportation and allow the continuation of his Green Card pursuit, which comes with a $4,000 (£2,981) fee to reopen.
Connor’s mother, Claire Anders, revealed that the family’s Green Card application was mishandled by an alleged fraudulent lawyer years ago, leading to the current situation. Jaelin expressed concerns about the potential deportation, mentioning plans to relocate to the UK with their children if necessary. The family is crowdfunding for legal support, and the British Consulate in Miami and local MP Lauren Edwards are providing assistance.
The emotional toll on the family is evident, with Jaelin sharing how the children have imagined their father being at Dinosaur World. The situation remains uncertain as they strive to reunite and navigate the legal challenges ahead.