Boyfriend of detained Argentine nanny recounts 'devastating' ICE arrest

Steven Melchiorre expressed his profound shock and devastation after his girlfriend, Iliana Lick, an Argentine nanny, was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at Philadelphia International Airport. Lick, 30, from Buenos Aires, was detained due to an irregular immigration status and is currently held at the Otero County Processing Center in New Mexico. Melchiorre recounted the moment he learned of her arrest, recalling Lick crying over the phone, stating, 'ICE arrested me, I'm at the Philadelphia detention center.' He described the news as 'a very hard blow,' leaving him 'totally devastated.' Melchiorre had driven Lick to the airport early that morning for a flight to Kansas City to watch the Argentine national team play. He sent her a text message asking if she had found her gate, and later, a message saying 'I love you anyway,' before falling back asleep. The next communication he received was the call from the detention center. A GoFundMe campaign initiated by Lick's friends has raised nearly $17,000 to cover specialized immigration legal representation and a potential bail amount, which has not yet been determined. The campaign notes that the initial days after her detention were incredibly difficult due to a lack of communication. Melchiorre shared on Instagram that he met Lick in Los Angeles in February 2024, and after falling in love, they moved to Philadelphia to build a home together. Lick's immigration case is ongoing and could result in deportation.