A man from the UK, Connor Read, faced separation from his American wife and three-year-old twins when he was detained by immigration authorities during his Green Card interview. Having lived in Florida for over two decades, Connor, 29, was taken into custody on June 3 due to insufficient permission to stay in the US and an existing removal order.

His family is now racing against time to prevent his deportation from the country he has called home for most of his life. Connor is one of over 51,000 undocumented migrants detained in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities, marking the highest number since September 2019.

Connor and his wife, Jaelin, were in the process of obtaining a Green Card when he was detained during their interview. Despite having completed the initial stage by filing an I-130 petition, allowing for permanent residency application, ICE officers enforced the removal order, leading to his separation from his family.

Jaelin described the heartbreaking moment when Connor was taken away, recalling the emotional turmoil she experienced. Despite his detention, Connor’s I-130 petition was approved the same day, giving the family a chance to seek reopening of his case and potentially halt his deportation by continuing the Green Card application, which incurs a $4,000 (£2,981) fee.

The family is now in a tense race to challenge ICE in court to prevent Connor’s deportation to the UK. Connor’s mother, Claire, revealed the family’s past struggles with the Green Card application process, expressing concerns about ICE’s actions and the urgency to present their case before a judge.

Jaelin expressed her readiness to relocate to the UK with their children if Connor is deported, emphasizing the emotional toll and uncertainties they face. The family’s GoFundMe campaign has garnered substantial support, aiming to assist them during this challenging period. The British Consulate in Miami and local MP Lauren Edwards have extended their support to the family in this distressing situation.