Trump supporter issues angry statement after fiancée detained by ICE
A Donald Trump supporter has admitted that he regrets voting for the US President, after his fiancée was arrested and detained by ICE last month.
Lifelong Republican and Texas businessman John Gannon told CBS News that his partner, Yasmin Suarez Reyes, 45, who is an immigrant from Venezuela, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement at Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport on 24 July.
He claims they ‘rustled her off into a car’ with ‘no explanation’ and has been ‘in a physical jail cell’ for nearly two weeks.
The couple were trying to travel from Houston to Las Vegas on July 24, but were stopped after going through security.
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He told the outlet in a new interview: “After leaving the United room, eight officers, ICE agents swarmed Yasmin and detained her. (They) didn't tell us why and wrestled her off into a car.”
Gannon exclaimed: "I voted for Trump,” before lashing out at ICE, saying they’re ‘picking up law-abiding citizens and destroying families and jobs’.
He said he would ask Trump, if given the chance, “What are you doing?
"Go after the criminals. We're all for that. But leave the mom and pops and the kids alone. Man, he's destroying families.”
“You never think, or I never thought a guy like me would ever be involved in something like this,” the businessman continued, “I was just in total disbelief.”
CBS reviewed Reyes’ documents and found that she entered the US legally in October 2023 under the Visa Waiver Program, since she holds citizenship in Spain, one of the countries that are eligible to come to America as tourists.
She was permitted to stay for 90 days, but applied for asylum with US Citizenship and Immigration Services in January 2024, which was before the end of the timeframe. However, the asylum case remains pending.
Anne Kennedy, Reyes' immigration attorney, said that her client was able to get a work permit and a Texas driver's license while waiting.
The lawyer told the outlet: “For almost two weeks now, she has been in a physical jail cell, when she has done nothing more than follow the laws of the United States and do what our immigration laws allow her to do.”
While Gannon added: “Seriously, it reminds me of a Gestapo system. I would never have thought the United States would act this way.”
In a statement to PEOPLE Magazine, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said: “On October 24, 2023, she lawfully entered the U.S. and illegally overstayed her lawful admission, which expired on January 19, 2024.”
“Pending applications do NOT confer legal status. All of her claims will be heard by a Justice Department immigration judge, and she will receive full due process. This Administration is not going to ignore the rule of law.
Tyla has contacted the US Department of Homeland Security and the White House for comment.
Topics: Donald Trump, US News, Politics, News
Madison Burgess