ICE arrests Universal Studios acrobats in Phoenix

New tonight, ICE agents detaining two acrobats just as they stepped off the plane in Phoenix. Investigators say the men overstayed their visas, but outraged friends say they hold valid work permits and they're demanding answers. Fox 10's Andrew Christensen is live at the airport tonight with the latest. Andrew. Yeah, Christina Mark, like you said, they're acrobats. They worked in Florida at the Universal Studios Epic Universe. They were flying from Orlando on Saturday to Phoenix Sky Harbor. Well, that's when they were approached by ICE agents. They are so genuine, so authentic that everybody falls in love with them. Jonathan Batchelor is thinking about his friends Gustavo Romanello and Agustin Bochega, who were acrobat coaches at the Arizona Circus Center. I would not have stayed doing acrobatics if it hadn't been for them. They were a major part of what convinced me that I actually could do this. Romanello and Bochega flew from Orlando to Phoenix to honor a friend who had passed away. Batchelor says ICE agents arrested Bochega right after they got off the airplane. Romanello was detained shortly after. It's clear DHS didn't believe these people were dangerous. They would never have let them get on the plane if they thought they were actually dangerous. Romanello sent this picture to Batchelor, which shows Bochega getting detained by a non-uniformed ICE agent. Batchelor says he was on the phone with Romanello as this was happening. It was traumatic just to hear. I can't fathom what it was like to go through. Friends say Romanello and Bochega applied for asylum in 2021 And we're given work permits. Batchelor provided Fox 10 a picture of their work permits, which don't expire until 2029. So they're paying taxes, paying Social Security. contributing to their communities. ICE says the arrests were part of a targeted enforcement action. Officials say they both legally came to the U.S. in 2020, but ICE says both men overstayed their visas by years. In a statement, ICE said, in part, employment authorization, commonly referred to as a work permit, does not confer immigration status or prevent ICE from taking enforcement action, including arrest or removal proceedings. Batchelor says they were originally taken to an an ICE facility in Florence. But Bochega has been moved several times. Augustine and Gustavo have a tremendous number of people who love them here. But, you know, this is horrible for them, but it's horrible for everybody that this has happened to. And ICE says both men are going to stay in custody while they go through the legal proceedings. And Congressman Greg Stanton's office, they say that they are aware of the situation and are working on their case. Reporting in downtown Phoenix, Andrew Christensen, Fox 10 News.