On the morning of January 20th at 7:07 a.m. in South Portland, Maine, my husband was taken by ICE while picking up a day laborer at the shelter in Portland on his way to work. I was on a video call with him and watched and heard it happen. I immediately started calling law officials and towing agencies to help retrieve the vehicle, but my husband was denied the chance to send his location or speak to me , when he tried he was told not to and he complied respectfully . The local law enforcement said they were not told of ICE activity, though later it has been proven they had and did correspond with ICE . Marcos work truck, a 2018 Ford F250 with a giant red G on the back window, was left abandoned and not where he was detained despite MANY inquiries for the location that were denied knowledge of. When we finally located it days later, everything of value inside had been stolen—his keys, legal papers file, personal belongings, work tools, and money. The window was further cracked his roll cover broken along with signs of tamper, it took a lot of effort and resources to recover the truck and days later replace the key.

We have also have had to support him while detained, locating, providing funds for calls. For days, we didn’t know where my husband was. I found the truck by calling and requesting to file a stolen vehicle. Suddenly within moments the same individuals knew exactly where the truck was that I had been speaking to. They had immediately removed him from the state of Maine to Plymouth Massachusetts, though their locator system said Pennsylvania.

My husband was facing fear for his life and harm, and was driven by the need of survival and to reach his daughter who was ill and hospitalized here in the United States.

He came here in 2021 with one backpack and spoke no English, seeking safety and to be a positive addition to America. Marcos had a credible fear screening and our government, found it positive, he complied with the legal process, received parole . Though a clerical error was done saying no parole was checked off on the credible fear screening, he was also given a paper with his picture stating here is your parole.

We married , he learned English and he acclimated to The US, he loves Maine and his community, (his wife and family here speak only English) he worked, paid taxes, and followed every instruction he was given. We have spent years actively working with UCSIS to keep everything legal and updated—filing forms, responding to evidence requests, updating addresses, and doing exactly what we were told while waiting through delays. He has never been ordered to return to Brazil, and there are no warrants. Despite retaining legal counsel and having court filings in progress, my husband was moved from Massachusetts without notice, and we were repeatedly given false information about his location—even after a court order was issued. It often listed him in centers and cities he was not in., other time erased from the locator. We finally have located him and he has been in Florence AZ since Feb 5th. In the beginning weeks he was treated inhumanly , conditions vary within each temporary places and was not given access to his lawyer until February 11th . This is not about politics. This is about due process, fair treatment, and humanity. Marcos will be in Detainment for probably 3 -4 months . Depending when Habeus decision given and expedite granted. He can not get a bond hearing without an approved Habeaus because he has parole, the habeaus case is in Massachusetts. It has sat since February 9th, no answer.

Where he is the water is not of good quality. It has made him and others very sick. Marcos has had a fungus rash issue ongoing with his foot and it spread to his hand. Most likely from laying in fecal matter and lack of medical care. Marcos reported a tooth issue on Feb 5th and abscess and infection again on Feb 9th, he was told he would have to wait 2 to 3 months for removal, no antibiotics have been given. Marcos also has had lunch infection and coughing up yellow to green mucus. All of this has been reported by him, his lawyer and to the facility, courts and UCSIS.

I am needing to provide him with safe drinking water , it is capped at 18 small bottles of water at 1.25 each. Since the food was prepared with water not safe and is child portions ,often served with spoiled protein if even included. We have needed to add food through commissary. This is an added expense

Why We Need Help: We have already retained an immigration lawyer, but the total legal cost is expected to be much more than the initial retainer. My husband is a main provider for our family, which includes myself, two step-sons, and a daughter who depend on him emotionally and financially. His sudden detention has left us without our primary income while legal and emergency costs continue to grow. I have not been able to work and my health has been effected. I have needed to postpone a medical procedure twice. As many married people, or committed individuals know. This economy takes 2 or more incomes. When a spouse has medical needs the other spouse is there and helps with kids . That safety has been taken from me .

How Your Support Helps: Funds raised will go toward ongoing legal fees, ,recovery expenses related to his truck and stolen tools, supporting our family while he is detained rent , food, phone, and transportation, filing fees, and required documentation. Now, our family—which includes even older children, a grandchild, in laws , —is struggling to cope with his absence and supporting , the emotional aspect and the financial burden of legal fees, lost property, and daily expenses his wife and minor children are in need of.

We are doing everything we can to bring him home and keep our family together.

If you are able to donate, we are profoundly grateful. If you cannot, sharing this fundraiser or keeping us in your prayers means more than words can express.

My husband is a loving father, a devoted husband, and a man who has spent his life protecting others. He believes in doing the right thing—and so do we. Thank you for helping be Marcos Voice and the light in the darkness Marcos and others are facing.