NYC man detained by ICE to be released on bond after more than 2 months in custody

More than two months after being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a Brooklyn man, originally from the Cayman Islands, is finally set to return home to his husband.

Allan Dabrio Marrero has been in ICE custody since attending a routine green card interview in Manhattan on Nov. 24.

Judge grants bond for Allan Dabrio Marrero

Dabrio Marrero's attorney said Tuesday he's being released on $6,000 bond.

"I started by explaining that Allan had never been arrested, he has no criminal history whatsoever, and furthermore, he does have a history of attending immigration court dates interviews, hearings," said Alexandra Rizio, supervising immigration attorney for Make the Road New York.

Rizio also explained Dabrio Marrero has an approved I-130 petition filed by his husband establishing their bona fide marriage, and with that petition, he can apply to get a green card.

"The judge said it's clear that he has community support, and that was one of the factors that he weighed when granting Allan bond," Rizio said.

She said the Department of Homeland Security opposed the release. CBS News New York reached out to DHS following the judge's decision Tuesday but has not heard back.

DHS previously stated:

"ICE arrested Allan Michael Dabrio, an illegal alien from the Cayman Islands, on November 24, 2025. He entered the United States on a tourist visa that required him to depart the United States by September 8, 2013. After he failed to show up for his immigration hearing, a judge ordered him a final order of removal in 2022. He received full due process."

Rizio and Matthew Marrero, Dabrio Marrero's husband, say Dabrio Marrero was unaware of the immigration hearing DHS said he missed.

"He has no criminal record. He's come here and done all his paperwork, all the things," Marrero said. "He missed one hearing, and he was in rehab. It was a mistake, an honest mistake, a civil offense, not a criminal one."

"It's gonna be a momentous, joyous feeling"

Marrero is in Mississippi waiting for his husband to be released.

"I'm very grateful, and it's a long time coming," he said. "Today is Day 64. Who's counting?"

Dabrio Marrero was first held in New Jersey, but Marrero said he was moved several times, including to "Alligator Alcatraz" in Florida.

"The trauma that we both have endured, especially my husband, is gonna have its impact," Marrero said. "And we're still scared ... but we are going to take full advantage of our life and the pathway that has been set for us."

Once they're reunited, the couple will return to New York, where Dabrio Marrero's next step is reapplying for a green card. He also has plans to study nursing, work and pray with their church.

"It's gonna be a momentous, joyous feeling," Marrero said.

"I believe prayer works and I believe activism works"

Congregants of Middle Church in the East Village gathered Tuesday to watch a virtual hearing for Dabrio Marrero.

"We love each other. We stand together. We help each other," congregant Sandra Santana said.

"I believe prayer works and I believe activism works, and I think we did all of that," Middle Church Senior Minister Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis said.

"I hope, I pray there's more celebrations for people that have been taken from their families," Santana said.

"The judge mentioned Allan has a strong church community behind him, and I think that matters that you have people that will show up for you," Middle Church Rev. Natalie Perkins said.

"God said welcome the immigrant, and we are here welcoming him with open arms," congregant Edna Benitez said.

The Middle Church community said it plans to hold a celebration when the couple returns.