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Soccer players

Lewiston Soccer Club Rallies Support for Team Member Detained by ICE

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A 24-year-old soccer player from Angola, Malunda Destino, has been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the Plymouth County Correctional Facility in Massachusetts. Destino was a starting defender for the semi-professional Lewiston-based Maine Legends FC team and had been playing for the club for about two years. He was arrested on August 20 during an ICE operation in Scarborough, Maine, and was previously ordered to be removed from the country by a Boston immigration judge in August 2023. Destino's attorney, David Spitzer, stated that it is rare for people with pending appeals to be apprehended by ICE, which can cause community distrust in law enforcement.

Key Takeaways:

  • Malunda Destino, a 24-year-old soccer player from Angola, was detained by ICE at the Plymouth County Correctional Facility in Massachusetts.
  • Destino was a starting defender for the Lewiston-based Maine Legends FC team and had been playing for the club for about two years.
  • He was arrested on August 20 during an ICE operation in Scarborough, Maine.
  • Destino was previously ordered to be removed from the country by a Boston immigration judge in August 2023.
  • Destino's attorney, David Spitzer, stated that it is rare for people with pending appeals to be apprehended by ICE.
  • The Lewiston soccer club and community have rallied around Destino, launching a GoFundMe campaign to support his family and pregnant girlfriend.
  • The campaign has raised over $4,000 as of Thursday afternoon.
  • Dirigo Union, a group of independent fans, has also shown support for Destino and his family, posting a statement on social media encouraging members to donate to the campaign.
  • The soccer team, Maine Legends FC, misses Destino's presence on the field and is working to bring their teammate back to the community.

Statistics:

  • Destino, 24, has been detained by ICE at the Plymouth County Correctional Facility in Massachusetts.
  • He was arrested on August 20 during an ICE operation in Scarborough, Maine.
  • The GoFundMe campaign to support Destino's family and pregnant girlfriend has raised over $4,000 as of Thursday afternoon.
  • Destino was ordered to be removed from the country by a Boston immigration judge in August 2023.

Sources:

  • Interview with Manuel Vemba, Captain and Head Coach of Maine Legends FC, Aug. 28
  • Interview with James Covington, Spokesperson for ICE, Aug. 28
  • Interview with David Spitzer, Attorney for Malunda Destino, Aug. 28
  • Maine Legends FC statement on social media, Aug. 26
  • Dirigo Union statement on social media, Aug. 26
  • ICE operation report, Aug. 20
  • Boston immigration court database, Aug. 11, 2023
  • GoFundMe campaign, Aug. 23

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