News
Milton Guamarrigra: The Port Chester Firefighter Detained by ICE
Milton Guamarrigra, a 43-year-old volunteer firefighter from Port Chester, New York, became the focus of an immigration case in 2025 after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained him outside his home.
Guamarrigra had lived in the United States for more than two decades. He was also a husband, father of three, volunteer firefighter, and local worker. His detention sparked strong reactions from his family and members of the Port Chester community.
Who Is Milton Guamarrigra?
Guamarrigra was originally from Cuenca, Ecuador. He came to the United States more than 25 years ago and eventually settled in Port Chester.
Since 2018, he had volunteered with the Port Chester Fire Department. He also worked as a marble installer and contractor while supporting his family.
Although he was unable to work as a paid firefighter because of his immigration status, he still served the community as a volunteer.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Milton Guamarrigra |
| Age | 43 |
| U.S. home | Port Chester, New York |
| Birthplace | Cuenca, Ecuador |
| Family | Wife Rosa Zhagui and three children |
| Volunteer service | Port Chester Fire Department since 2018 |
| Arrest date | July 29, 2025 |
| Agency | ICE |
| Main immigration issue | Long-standing deportation order |
| Final outcome | Deported to Ecuador in September 2025 |
His ICE Arrest
On July 29, 2025, ICE agents reportedly appeared near Guamarrigra’s home on North Regent Street.
According to his daughter, Joselyn, her father approached the agents after noticing them in the neighborhood. She said they identified him as the person they were looking for.
The arrest was recorded by neighbors and later attracted attention in the local community.
Why Was He Detained?
ICE’s case against Guamarrigra involved an old deportation order dating back approximately 19 years.
His legal representatives said an appeal connected to the order had been dismissed and that Guamarrigra did not understand that the order remained active.
Authorities also pointed to DUI convictions from many years earlier. The offenses were decades old and became an important part of the public discussion surrounding his detention.
His supporters, however, emphasized the changes he had made in his life and his long-standing role in the Port Chester community.
Detention Across Several States
After his arrest, Guamarrigra was moved between several detention facilities.
He spent time at 26 Federal Plaza in New York before being transferred to facilities in New Jersey, Michigan, Texas, and Louisiana.
The frequent transfers made communication difficult for his family. According to reports from his relatives, contact was often limited to short phone calls.
His detention also placed additional financial and emotional pressure on his family as they worked to pursue legal options.
Support From Port Chester
The case received considerable support from people in Port Chester.
Family members created a GoFundMe campaign to help with legal expenses. Community members also organized fundraising efforts for the family.
The Port Chester Fire Department and local officials expressed support for Guamarrigra. His connection with the fire department became one of the most visible parts of the community’s response.
For supporters, his case raised questions about how immigration enforcement affects people who have spent many years building lives and relationships in their communities.
Deportation to Ecuador
After roughly two months in detention, Guamarrigra was deported to Ecuador in September 2025.
He returned to Cuenca, the city where he had lived before moving to the United States more than two decades earlier.
Following his removal, Guamarrigra thanked the Port Chester community and fire department for their support. He also spoke about his hope of eventually reuniting with his wife and children in the United States.
For his family, the deportation marked a major change because they had spent most of their lives together in America.
Why His Story Matters
Guamarrigra’s case attracted attention because it brought together several difficult issues: immigration enforcement, old criminal convictions, community service, and family separation.
His supporters viewed him as a longtime community member who had dedicated years to helping others as a volunteer firefighter. Immigration authorities, meanwhile, focused on his existing deportation order and previous convictions.
The case shows how complicated immigration cases can become when legal history and years of community involvement collide.
FAQ’s
Q1. Is Milton Guamarrigra still in the United States?
No. He was deported to Ecuador in September 2025 after spending roughly two months in ICE detention.
Q2. Why did ICE detain him?
ICE cited a long-standing deportation order. Authorities also referenced DUI convictions from many years earlier.
Q3. Was Milton Guamarrigra a firefighter?
Yes. He served as a volunteer firefighter with the Port Chester Fire Department beginning in 2018.
Q4. Where was he deported?
He was deported to Cuenca, Ecuador, his original hometown.
Q5. Does he want to return to the United States?
After his deportation, Guamarrigra expressed hope of eventually returning and reuniting with his family, although a confirmed legal route for his return has not been publicly established.
Conclusion
Milton Guamarrigra’s story highlights the personal impact that immigration enforcement can have on families and communities. His years as a Port Chester volunteer firefighter made his case especially visible, while his deportation separated him from the family and community he had built in the United States.