ICE detains Argentine man in Maryland who overstayed his visa by 10 years after traveling to Disney World

U.S. immigration authorities have arrested an Argentine national in Maryland for remaining in the United States well beyond the expiration of his visa. Alejandro Saul Rico, a resident of Silver Spring, Maryland, was taken into custody by ICE agents on June 19 as part of an immigration enforcement operation targeting individuals with criminal histories.

According to an ICE statement, Rico has a prior arrest record in Maryland. He is currently being held in ICE custody while immigration proceedings that could lead to his deportation advance. The agency emphasized its commitment to enforcing immigration laws.

Rico reportedly confessed to entering the United States with his family through Miami, Florida, on a visitor visa in 2006. After arriving, the family visited Disney World and subsequently remained in the U.S. after their authorized stay expired. ICE noted that this extended stay constituted a violation of U.S. immigration laws. Official documentation indicates Rico received a B1 visa in 2006, which expired in 2016, yet he continued to reside in the country.

Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis commented on the case, stating that the federal administration is focused on strengthening controls over individuals who overstay their visas. "Too many foreign nationals believe they can exceed the permitted time of a visa, disappear into the interior of the country and avoid the consequences of violating our immigration laws," Bis said. She added that the government aims to enhance the integrity of visa programs and prevent their misuse for indefinite stays in the United States.

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Too many foreign nationals believe they can exceed the permitted time of a visa, disappear into the interior of the country and avoid the consequences of violating our immigration laws.