The Copa América final between Argentina and Colombia at Hard Rock Stadium in Florida turned chaotic over the weekend, resulting in 27 arrests and 55 ejections. Among those arrested were Colombia’s soccer federation president, Ramón Jesurún, 71, and his son. However, a new report revealed that at least 11 of those taken into custody were illegal immigrants.
According to the New York Post, Immigration and Customs Enforcement has 11 cases on hold, indicating they are requesting to take these individuals into custody if they are released by local law enforcement. Two Colombian nationals, Luis Beltran Martinez and Elkin Mayorga, were charged with battery on a law enforcement officer and trespassing. Mayorga also faced charges of disorderly intoxication and resisting an officer with violence.
The Post reported that Mayorga entered the country illegally in March 2022 and was released with a tracking device shortly after his arrest. Another Colombian national, Argemiro Rodriguez, was arrested for interference with a sporting event and resisting without violence. Rodriguez had crossed the Arizona border illegally in October 2021.
The game was delayed by more than an hour as “unruly” fans without tickets attempted to force their way into the stadium, causing damage and injuries to law enforcement, innocent patrons, and stadium personnel. Police arrested 27 individuals and ejected 55 from the stadium grounds. Hard Rock Stadium announced plans to reevaluate its protocols following the incident.
