ICE releases Venezuelan soccer player with pending asylum after congressional outcry

Venezuelan soccer player Claudia Rodríguez has been released by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after nearly three weeks in custody, following widespread public criticism and intervention from a U.S. congresswoman. Rodríguez was detained at the airport in Florida before she could travel to North Carolina for a final match, despite her family stating she had a pending asylum request and no criminal history.

The case drew significant attention from family, friends, and local leaders who advocated for her release. Demonstrations were held outside the ICE facility in Pompano Beach. U.S. Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz publicly supported the calls for Rodríguez's release, visiting the athlete and stating, "Claudia has no criminal record. Her detention is unacceptable."

Rodríguez's cousin, Gabriel Domínguez, told NBC 6 South Florida that she legally entered the U.S. in 2017, applied for asylum, and received Temporary Protected Status (TPS) while awaiting her immigration case. Domínguez alleged that Rodríguez lost approximately 15 pounds, slept on the floor, shared a cell with about 75 people, and went days without showering. Wasserman Schultz also noted that Rodríguez spent eight days in a transition center deemed unprepared for long-term stays.

Rodríguez is described as a standout athlete and a dedicated student, having earned a Master of Business Administration from St. Thomas University in 2025 and residing in South Florida for several years. Her family emphasized that she has complied with immigration regulations and urged for humanitarian treatment in pending legal cases. ICE stated that between July 1 and July 26, it conducted immigration operations at airports.

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Claudia has no criminal record. Her detention is unacceptable.