For ads-free news, click here.
At least 11 illegal immigrants are among the 27 individuals arrested during the melee at the COPA America final in Miami, The Post reports. Luis Beltran Martinez and Elkin Mayorga, both from Colombia, were arrested after fans stormed Hard Rock Stadium during the final between Colombia and Argentina.
They face charges of battery on a law enforcement officer and trespassing, with Mayorga also charged with disorderly intoxication and resisting an officer with violence. ICE has placed holds on their cases and at least nine others with lesser charges, indicating ICE’s request to take these individuals into custody if authorities plan to release them. The chaos erupted when fans tried to force their way into the stadium, causing a delay of over 75 minutes. Desperate attendees resorted to unconventional methods to enter, including crawling through air vents and jumping over security railings.
Internal Homeland Security documents reveal that Mayorga crossed the southern border illegally on March 24, 2022, in Yuma, Arizona, and was arrested by border agents. Three days later, he was released with a tracking device as part of ICE’s Alternatives to Detention (ATD) program. However, the tracker was removed less than a month later for unknown reasons.
Videos of the crazy brawl and chaotic scene can be seen below:
This is not a third world country; it’s the United States of America.
Complete chaos at Copa America in Miami. pic.twitter.com/a3wwiThRpV
— Auden B. Cabello (@CabelloAuden) July 15, 2024
The 2024 Copa América final between Argentina and Colombia was delayed after fans without tickets breached Hard Rock Stadium in Miami and caused destruction to the stadium.
Mostly Columbia fans wearing yellow and red colors could be seen hopping over the security railings near… pic.twitter.com/EJwzAcvCPP
— RedWave Press (@RedWave_Press) July 15, 2024
What happened today at the stadium in Miami at the Copa America soccer final is a total disgrace.
What’s happened can be linked directly to the millions that have entered this country illegally.
— Auden B. Cabello (@CabelloAuden) July 15, 2024
The Copa America final in Miami turned into chaos as thousands of fans without tickets stormed the stadium, and some with tickets resorted to sneaking in to escape being crushed. pic.twitter.com/qOFkWTORe9
— RT (@RT_com) July 15, 2024
