Venezuelan journalist detained by ICE in Miami released after posting bond

Venezuelan journalist Wilmer Solano has regained his freedom in the United States after spending more than two weeks in immigration custody. Solano was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents while working as an Uber driver in South Florida.

Solano recounted that border patrol agents stopped him on July 26 near Haulover Beach during a ride. "There were three vans, but I only saw one. They approached me, and the first thing the agent said was, 'You're from Venezuela, right?' Then he told me, 'No, it's because you overstayed your visa and you have to come with me.' He didn't give any further details," Solano told Telemundo 51.

The detention led Solano first to a facility in Dania Beach for three days, and then to the Krome detention center, where he remained for approximately 15 days until an immigration judge set his bond at $5,000. After the bond was paid, Solano was released to his family. His lawyer, Arno Lemus, confirmed that Solano has no criminal record.

Solano arrived in the U.S. in 2015 and has maintained a pending asylum application. He stated that during these years, he has held work authorization, a Social Security number, and identification documents. Lemus expressed concern about the process, noting, "I've been in the immigration field for over a decade, and this has never been seen. What's happening is that they are not taking affirmative processes with USCIS as a legal status in the country, or at least as legal presence that allows one to remain while awaiting the process."