Torn Apart: The Harrowing Ordeal of a Malden Family as ICE Detains a U.S. Citizen's Husband

MALDEN, MA – A shadow of fear and uncertainty has fallen over a Malden family, exposing a deeply troubling trend in U.S. immigration enforcement. Victorino Flores, a 40-year-old father of three U.S. citizen children and husband to a U.S. citizen, Roxana Flores, was unexpectedly detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during what was supposed to be a routine check-in in Burlington.

Flores, who has called the United States home for two decades after arriving from Guatemala, has been actively pursuing legal permanent residency since 2017 based on his marriage.

For years, he has diligently followed legal procedures, holding a valid work permit and a Social Security card, contributing to his community and providing for his family.

His detention has plunged the Flores household into disarray. Roxana Flores, a U.S. citizen who relies heavily on her husband's income, is now left grappling with profound emotional distress and an uncertain financial future.

Their three young children, aged 11, 7, and 3, are left to wonder why their father is suddenly gone, a poignant example of the devastating human cost of current immigration policies.

Attorney Anthony Marino, representing Flores, did not mince words, describing the detention as "egregious" and condemning it as part of an "inhumane policy." Marino highlights what he terms a "disturbing trend" where ICE appears to be increasingly targeting and detaining individuals who are married to U.S.

citizens and have pending applications for legal permanent residency – a stark departure from past practices that often allowed such individuals to remain in the country while their cases progressed.

This shift raises serious questions about the priorities of immigration enforcement. Historically, policies, particularly during the Obama administration, were often directed at prioritizing the deportation of individuals with serious criminal records.

Flores, however, has no criminal history. While he did have an order of removal from 2004, it had been acknowledged and managed within the legal framework, allowing him to pursue his path to legal residency through his marriage.

The family's anguish is palpable. Roxana Flores spoke through tears, describing her utter shock and desperation.

"He goes to his appointments, everything has been perfect," she said, recounting the moment she learned of his detention. "Now what? What am I supposed to tell my children? What will we do?" Her words echo the sentiments of countless families caught in similar bureaucratic labyrinths, their lives upended by sudden policy shifts.

While ICE maintains that it prioritizes individuals with criminal convictions or pending charges, their official statements also assert that "all those in violation of the nation's immigration laws may be subject to arrest, detention and removal." Critics argue that this broad interpretation, coupled with aggressive enforcement, undermines the very spirit of family unity and due process for those actively seeking legal pathways.

Victorino Flores is currently being held at the Suffolk County House of Correction, facing the grim prospect of deportation.

His family, supported by their legal team and community advocates, is now mounting a desperate campaign for his release, hoping to bring light to their plight and challenge a policy they believe is tearing families apart. Their fight is not just for Victorino, but for the principle of humanity and fairness within the complex landscape of immigration law, a principle that seems increasingly under threat.