SUNY IT Technician Detained by ICE Despite Legal Status, Union Calls for Release An IT technician at SUNY Brockport, German Machado, was held by ICE outside his Batavia home despite having work authorization and a pending asylum case. The incident has prompted union action, university statements, and a family protest on immigration enforcement. German Machado, an information technology specialist for the State University of New York at Brockport, was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents outside his home in Batavia, New York, on the evening of October 13, 2026. The arrest came as a shock to his family and to the university community, who were astonished to learn of the detention after the day's news circulated in a local news report. According to the union representing SUNY employees, the incident was captured in an undated photograph that the news outlet published without a caption.Machado Family Fled Venezuela For SafetyThe image shows Mr. Machado standing before his front door with the back of an SUV parked outside, the vehicle's doors unlocked as if it were waiting for him to return from work. The family's background in the United States dates back to 2016, when they fled their native Venezuela to escape the escalating political unrest that threatened the safety of their mother, a journalist who had been targeted by the regime.They entered the United States legally through John F. Kennedy International Airport on August 30, 2016, under B‑2 tourist visas that were valid until February 27, 2017. Within that authorized period, the family filed a joint asylum application, which was accepted by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Each member of the family-German, his wife Maria, and their two sons Eduardo and Samuel-received employment authorization documents and Social Security numbers, enabling them to work while their case remained pending.Despite the legal status that the family had acquired, the Department of Homeland Security announced on October 14 that Mr. Machado had entered the United States in August 2016 with permission to stay only until February 2017 and that his presence beyond that date was without formal approval. The asylum application itself was still under review, and no final decision had been issued.Family Questions Lawful Detention Of FatherIn an interview, Eduardo Machado expressed his confusion and concern, stating that "We have legal status in the US. We have a pending political asylum. All of us have an authorized work authorization card. We're legally working here.We're legally living here. There is no reason for my father to have been detained." He added that the detention "should not have happened" because his father had no criminal record, a stable job, and a permanent residence. Suny Brockport's administration, upon learning of the incident, released a brief statement confirming it had been notified of an "off‑campus federal law enforcement matter involving one of our employees" and that they were in contact with the employee's family. The union, United University Professions, called for Mr. Machado's immediate release.Alissa Karl, vice president for academics, told the press that "there's no reason for him to be in detention" and that the university would support his legal process. She urged the administration to ensure he receives full due process and be returned to his family. In a separate development, Mr. Machado's son Samuel released a detailed statement outlining the family's immigration history.He confirmed the original entry dates, the timing of the asylum filing, and the fact that the family enjoyed lawful employment through the issued work authorization documents. He described the conditions in Venezuela that forced them to seek refugee status and reiterated that the family has complied with all U.S. immigration procedures. Following the family's public statements, USCIS announced that Mr. Machado would remain in ICE custody while his removal proceedings were pending.Union Supporters Rally To Demand ReleaseA DHS spokesperson clarified that possessing a pending asylum application or an employment authorization does not automatically confer lawful immigration status, and that ICE will conduct a thorough review of the case. Members of the SUNY community, along with union supporters, planned to gather at the SUNY Brockport student union on Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to protest the detention and demand Mr. Machado's swift release.The incident has sparked discussions about the treatment of asylum seekers and the enforcement of immigration laws. Advocates for immigrant rights have criticized the lack of clarity regarding Mr. Machado's legal status and the potential impact on his family, who now fear further repercussions. The broader conversation involves the balance between national security interests and individual rights, particularly for communities that have already endured persecution in their home countries.