N.J. Trump Supporter’s Husband Detained by ICE, Focusing on Criminals Discussed
Abdellatif Hafraoui, a 60-year-old immigrant, faced significant challenges when detained by ICE agents at Newark Liberty International Airport. His arrest on August 11, 2023, led to a detainment lasting 108 days, culminating in his release just before Thanksgiving. The couple had to pay a $15,000 bond for his release, but the shadow of uncertainty continues to loom over their lives.
ICE Detainment and Its Impact
As of late December 2023, there were approximately 70,805 individuals in ICE detention across the United States, according to USAFacts. Many, like Abdellatif, lack criminal records. Immigration attorneys indicate that many detainees are ensnared in lengthy removal orders stemming from administrative errors or failed court appearances.
Routine Disrupted
On the day of Abdellatif’s arrest, he and his wife, Sandra, were preparing for a long-awaited trip to Fort Myers, Florida. Their plans disintegrated when an ICE agent identified herself and took Abdellatif away, leaving Sandra bewildered in the terminal. The couple had purchased nonrefundable tickets and accommodations, incurring thousands in losses while their plans evaporated.
Legal Support and Community Assistance
Friends Monica and Richard Nuñez, who were scheduled to meet the Hafraouis, aided Sandra by helping gather necessary documents for legal representation. They agreed to co-sponsor Abdellatif’s case, showing their income and assets to demonstrate he would not be a financial burden.
Abdellatif’s American Story
Abdellatif has lived in the United States for over 38 years, finding employment as a concierge in Manhattan. He arrived in the country at age 22, drawn by ambition and dreams inspired by American films. Despite his long-standing residency and work history, an immigration attorney’s mishap from over a decade ago resulted in an in absentia deportation order against him.
Political Reflections
Initially supporters of Donald Trump, Abdellatif and Sandra now grapple with the implications of strict immigration policies. Sandra expressed disillusionment with the focus of immigration enforcement, which she believed targeted serious criminals—not law-abiding individuals like her husband.
Experiences in Detention
- Abdellatif was initially housed in the Delaney Hall Detention Facility in Newark.
- He faced harsh treatment and humiliation during visits with Sandra.
- Under pressure, he was placed in solitary confinement for refusing to board a plane back to Morocco.
After multiple transfers across states, Abdellatif’s deportation flight was canceled, thanks to a last-minute ruling from an immigration judge in New Jersey.
Advocacy and Ongoing Legal Battles
U.S. Representative Rob Menendez has been advocating for the Hafraouis, raising concerns about ICE’s practices that complicate legal access and tracking of detainees. Following further advocacy, Abdellatif was returned to New Jersey and eventually released.
Life After Detention
Following his release, Abdellatif remains under electronic monitoring, precluding him from returning to work. The couple now faces mounting legal fees, having spent an estimated $50,000 in attorney costs. They recently initiated a GoFundMe campaign to support their ongoing legal challenges.
“We just want to be treated like people with rights, not as problems to be managed,” Sandra expressed, emphasizing their hope to someday reclaim their normal lives and take that long-desired beach vacation.
