Florida Man’s Wife Detained amid Pending Immigration Case
Mounque “Monk” Barazone’s wife, Gloria Barazone, a Colombian national, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at Newark Liberty International Airport in July. His support for President Trump remains unwavering, despite the incident. This adds to recent cases where spouses of U.S. citizens with pending immigration applications faced detention by federal agents.
Barazone, a 77-year-old Florida resident, explained that his wife, 46, entered the U.S. on a tourist visa and applied for permanent residency through marriage 15 years ago. They have spent nearly three years navigating the immigration system, handling paperwork, and attending a green card interview earlier this year.
Pending Applications and Detention
Gloria Barazone had pending applications for a green card, work authorization, and Social Security number at her detention time. She had been issued a Florida Real ID driver’s license while awaiting these decisions. Barazone stated, “I don’t believe you arrest American citizens’ spouses and then tell them to spend tens of thousands of dollars they don’t have.” He supports most of Trump’s policies but disagrees with certain immigration enforcement tactics.
Following his wife’s detention, Barazone spoke to an ICE officer, highlighting her status as a spouse of a U.S. citizen with an active immigration case. However, these circumstances didn’t prevent her arrest. Gloria Barazone was initially held in New Jersey and later transferred to Louisiana and the South Texas ICE Processing Center, complicating legal efforts.
Legal and Political Responses
Barazone stated that legal attempts to challenge his wife’s detention faced disruption due to these transfers. Attorneys pursued various legal remedies, but these moves increased legal expenses. A DHS spokesperson claimed her arrest resulted from “a targeted immigration enforcement operation,” citing her visa overstay.
Barazone sought help from Florida Senator Ashley Moody and Representative María Elvira Salazar’s offices. However, he alleges barriers prevented more direct involvement due to consent forms not reaching his detained wife.
Impact on Family’s Finances and Health
Barazone described financial strain due to legal expenses, pledging his monthly Social Security payments and borrowing from relatives. He highlights serious health issues, exacerbated by the situation, suffering from cardiac problems and possible surgery delays.
Despite ongoing challenges, Barazone remains a supporter of Trump’s immigration policies, advocating for a differentiated approach. He emphasized the need for separate standards for enforcing immigration laws on illegal immigrants and American citizens.