The lead-up to a final took an unexpected turn for Matías Alejandro Pourrain, a 34-year-old Argentine soccer player who is currently in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Florida. The Miami United FC player was detained as he was preparing to travel with his teammates to Los Angeles, where the team was scheduled to play in the UPSL final. According to his attorney, Regina de Moraes, Pourrain had a valid work permit, although he still has a pending immigration application. The case comes amid reports of a rise in migrant detentions at U.S. airports, even when individuals are not crossing an international border. Why did ICE detain Argentine soccer player Matías Pourrain? De Moraes told Telemundo 51 that the incident happened last Thursday while the team was waiting to board their flight to Los Angeles. The players had already cleared Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screening when three men in plain clothes approached Pourrain. The agents asked for his name and, after he confirmed his identity, told him they needed to ask him some questions. The soccer player was separated from his teammates and then taken into custody. The attorney said that there was no altercation or incident during the detention. According to her account, ICE agents later informed her that Pourrain would be detained and that he had two options: seek bond before an immigration judge or sign for voluntary departure. The soccer player chose not to sign any document to voluntarily leave the United States. The player has lived in the U.S. since 2019 Pourrain arrived in the United States in 2019 on a tourist visa. Since then, he reportedly filed an immigration application that is still pending. A key point in the case is that, while that application is pending, authorities granted him a work permit that is currently valid, according to his legal representative. The attorney also said the soccer player has no criminal record. “Matías has no criminal record. He was never arrested for DUI, domestic violence, theft, anything,” De Moraes said. After his detention, the soccer player was taken to the ICE detention center in Miramar, where he remained until Saturday. He was then transferred to the Krome North Service Processing Center in Miami, according to information provided by his attorney. ICE's detainee locator confirms that Pourrain remains in custody, although it did not specify which facility he was in. Miami United FC supports its player While the family waits to see if an immigration bond can be requested, Pourrain's team has publicly expressed its support for the player. The Argentine not only plays for Miami United FC, but also works as a youth coach. In a message posted on social media, the club said Pourrain is an important part of the organization and stated that his teammates, coaches, and the entire team stand with him and his family. Follow Heraldo USA on Google News, click HERE