Florida Man Defends Trump Vote Despite Wife’s Immigration Detention

A Florida resident, Mounque “Monk” Barazone, expressed no regret for his vote supporting President Donald Trump, even after federal immigration authorities detained his wife during her green card application process. Barazone confirmed to Newsweek that his wife, Colombian national Gloria Barazone, was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at Newark Liberty International Airport. This incident is part of several recent cases where spouses of U.S. citizens with pending immigration applications faced detention.

Gloria Barazone’s Arrest: Key Details

Mounque Barazone, aged 77, stated he had no regrets about his vote for Trump in the 2024 election, believing the country would fare worse under the Biden administration. His wife entered the U.S. on a tourist visa and applied for permanent residency through their marriage, which began 15 years ago. The couple spent nearly three years navigating the complex immigration system by filing necessary paperwork, securing visa extensions, and attending a green card interview earlier this year.

At the time of her arrest, Gloria had pending applications for a green card, work authorization, and a Social Security number. She was also issued a Florida Real ID driver’s license while awaiting a decision on her immigration case. Barazone emphasized to Newsweek, “I don’t believe you arrest American citizens’ spouses and then tell them to spend tens of thousands of dollars they don’t have.” Although he supports 80 percent of Trump’s policies, he criticizes the detention of American citizens’ wives.

Upon detention, Barazone discussed his wife’s situation with an ICE officer, stressing her status as the spouse of a U.S. citizen with an active immigration case. This did not alter the decision to detain her. Initially held in New Jersey, Gloria was transferred to facilities in Louisiana and South Texas, complicating legal efforts in each location. These transfers required her attorneys to refile court documents and other necessary filings, increasing legal expenses.

ICE Operation and Legal Obstacles

A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson informed Newsweek that ICE arrested Gloria Barazone during a “targeted immigration enforcement operation” on July 30. The agency stated she entered the U.S. legally on January 18, 2025, but overstayed her visa, which expired on July 17, 2025. This enforcement aligns with the Trump administration’s mass deportation strategy, focusing on migrants overstaying visas.

Barazone sought assistance from Florida Senator Ashley Moody and Representative María Elvira Salazar, both Republicans. Congressional staff required signed consent from Gloria before intervening. Barazone alleged that while detained, she did not receive the necessary documents, limiting the lawmakers’ ability to help. Newsweek reached out to Moody and Salazar’s offices for comments.

Financial and Health Challenges

Barazone described Gloria as a skilled security professional, previously working at Medellín’s airport in Colombia, where she was known as “Alpha Uno”. The couple met when she responded to concerns about one of Barazone’s bags. They lived together in Colombia for over a decade, during which he adopted her two children. Gloria later became a polygraph examiner and launched a business in Colombia after obtaining necessary approvals.

While Barazone supports arresting criminal aliens, he remains critical of certain ICE actions. He believes Trump inherited a challenging situation, thus cannot bear full responsibility for every ICE officer’s actions.

The family’s legal battles have led to significant financial strains. Barazone pledged his Social Security payments towards legal costs, with family members also contributing financially. Alongside financial pressures, Barazone faces severe health issues involving heart problems, requiring surgery that may need postponement due to ongoing legal challenges. “I’m not doing well,” he disclosed, indicating his declining health condition.

Despite these personal challenges, Barazone, a business owner inducted into the 2019 Pavement Hall of Fame, stands by Trump’s broader immigration policies. He advocates for differentiated standards in enforcing immigration laws, particularly concerning American citizens’ spouses.

For further details on this story, please contact Newsweek editors Jason Lemon and Sam Wilson.