ICE Arrested a DACA Man at His Green Card Interview
Connor Read walked into a green card interview in Tampa on June 3, 2026 — and never walked out. The 29-year-old, who has lived in the US since he was nine years old, was arrested by four ICE agents in the interview room and is now held in a detention center in Louisiana. His wife and twin toddlers are waiting at home.
Connor Read, 29, walked into a federal immigration building in Tampa, Florida, on June 3, 2026, expecting a green card interview. Instead, four ICE agents arrested him in the interview room. His wife, Jaelin, 25, was told her husband would not be coming home. Their three-year-old twin sons, Ryder and Ozzie, have not seen their father since.
Read moved to the US from Chatham, England, in November 2007 — at age nine — on an F-2 visa as a dependent of his mother's F-1 student visa. ICE says that after his mother violated the terms of her visa, Read was placed into removal proceedings. An Orlando immigration judge issued a final order of removal in January 2011, when Read was 16. At that point, he was granted DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) status, a program that shields people who came to the US as children from deportation and gives them work permits. He attended American schools and returned to the UK only once.
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While on DACA, Read accumulated minor convictions: possession of narcotic equipment, possession of liquor, and resisting an officer. Because of the narcotic charge, he was unable to renew his DACA status at age 22. He met Jaelin on a dating app in 2020, married her, and the couple applied for a green card. That application led directly to his arrest. ICE called him a "criminal illegal alien" and cited the 2011 removal order. Read spent eight days in Pinellas County jail before being flown to an ICE detention center in Louisiana. He is appealing the removal order, but has been told a decision may take up to six months.
What This Means If You Have a Criminal Record and a Pending Green Card Case
Read's case shows a specific risk: attending a USCIS (US Citizenship and Immigration Services) interview can expose you to ICE arrest if you have an old removal order or a criminal record — even minor convictions. The Trump administration has made clear it considers prior criminal convictions grounds for enforcement action, regardless of family ties or how long someone has lived in the US. ICE stated that nearly 70% of its arrests involve people charged or convicted of a crime.
What to do
- If you have a prior removal order or any criminal conviction — even a minor one — consult an immigration lawyer before attending any USCIS or ICE interview. Do not assume the interview is routine.
- If you or a family member is detained by ICE, ask immediately for the right to contact a lawyer. You have this right regardless of your immigration status.
- Ask ICE or the detention facility for the detainee's A-number (alien registration number). You will need it to track the case and file an appeal.
- If a removal order exists, an immigration attorney can file a motion to reopen or an appeal with the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). Time limits apply, so act quickly.
Related: our step-by-step guide — “Appealing to the BIA”.
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Anyone with a prior removal order — even one issued years ago — remains legally removable at any time, and attending a government interview can trigger enforcement. In Read's case, the 2011 removal order never went away; DACA only paused its execution. If you are in a similar situation, an attorney should file a motion to reopen the removal proceedings or an appeal with the Board of Immigration Appeals before ICE executes the order. Do not attend a USCIS or ICE appointment without first having an attorney review your full immigration and criminal history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can ICE arrest me at a USCIS green card interview?
Yes. USCIS and ICE are separate agencies, but ICE agents can and do appear at USCIS offices. If you have a removal order or a criminal record, attending an interview can lead to arrest. Always consult an immigration lawyer before going to any government immigration appointment.
Does a minor criminal conviction affect a green card application?
It can. Even misdemeanor convictions — like possession of drug paraphernalia — can make you ineligible for a green card or trigger enforcement action, especially if you already have a removal order. The specific charge matters a great deal, so get legal advice before you apply.
What happens to DACA if you get a criminal conviction?
DACA requires you to have no significant criminal history. Certain convictions — including drug-related offenses — can disqualify you from renewing DACA. Once DACA expires and cannot be renewed, the original removal order can be enforced.
Can you appeal a removal order while in ICE detention?
Yes. You can file an appeal with the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) or ask the immigration court to reopen your case. However, strict deadlines apply, and the process can take months. An immigration attorney can file the necessary paperwork and also request a bond hearing so you may be released while your case is pending.