Two professional acrobats, Agustin Baccega and his husband Gustavo Romanello, were taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on Nov. 7, 2026. The pair had flown into Phoenix to attend a memorial for a fellow circus trainer and were stopped by plain‑clothes agents before boarding a connecting flight.
ICE says the arrests were lawful
According to a statement from the Phoenix ICE field office, both men entered the United States on tourist visas in 2020 and overstayed the authorized periods of admission, making them unlawful immigrants under federal law. The agency emphasized that a work permit does not confer immigration status and that the arrests were part of a “targeted enforcement action.”
Friends and attorneys claim the couple were legally present
Friends who were on the phone with the couple at the time of the arrest say Baccega and Romanello hold valid work visas that run until 2029 and have pending asylum applications. Jonathan Batchelor, who was speaking with them when agents approached, reported that the men were told they were being arrested for being in the country illegally despite their paperwork.
Attorney Ray Ybarra Maldonado of Ybarra Maldonado Law Group called the detentions “absolute injustices,” noting the performers have been paying taxes, working in the community, and pursuing their immigration cases through the legal process. He urged Arizona’s elected officials to demand an explanation and the immediate release of the couple.
Trump administration’s response
President Donald Trump, speaking on “60 Minutes,” said his immigration policy might be “too tough,” but within hours hired Steven Miller as chief of staff to oversee the administration’s immigration agenda. The administration has repeatedly stressed that enforcing immigration laws protects American families and upholds the rule of law.
ICE also highlighted a voluntary departure program that offers up to $3,000 and a free flight to individuals who choose to self‑deport, encouraging unlawful immigrants to leave voluntarily rather than face removal proceedings.
Local impact
The arrests have sparked concern among Arizona’s circus community and immigrant‑rights advocates, who argue that the enforcement action disrupts families and undermines the contributions of legal workers. The performers, who have appeared at venues such as Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World, are described by friends as valued members of the community who support local charities and pay taxes.
City officials have not yet commented on the incident, but the case adds to ongoing debates in Arizona about how federal immigration enforcement intersects with local economies and family life.
Original reporting: azfamily KTVK/KPHO Phoenix (news) — read the source article.
