‘It was truly traumatic': Belfast hairdresser detained by immigration officers in US returns home
Setting up the fundraiser earlier this month, Lee Stinton's mother Elaine said she was asking the public's help in order to cover legal fees and to help her son who is 'starting over with nothing' after returning home.
So far over £5,000 has been raised for the man originally from Belfast, after the 46-year-old hairdresser had been detained by Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) on June 12.
'He is home with only the clothes he had on the day ICE took him'
Working as a hair stylist in Key West, Florida, for six years, Lee was stopped on his e-bike by police while on his way to work.
His father, Edward told Good Morning Ulster last month that he was on a working visa at the time of his arrest, and was on his way to get a Green Card.
His father recounted how the family were initially unsure as to how his son was stopped by police.
'He was going to work as normal on Thursday on his e-bike and he went through, or didn't go through – we're not sure of that yet - a stop sign', he told the programme.
Not having his immigration papers to hand, he was then taken to Krome Detention Centre.
Giving supporters an update on the fundraising page earlier this week, Lee explained he is 'so thankful for everyone's support and help'.
"We are just over halfway to our goal if you guys could continue to share on social media it would be greatly appreciated,' he wrote.
"Reaching this goal will help me not only get the help and funds I need to pay legal fees and start life over, but also help me get reunited with my little dog, although the costs are high to sort everything out like veterinary stuff, pet passport, pet travel etc, it will go a long way to helping me recover and heal from this truly traumatic experience.
"Again thank you if you donated already.
"Every donation big or small helps so much.'
The former British Hairdresser of The Year left his home for Florida over six years ago after marrying his US-born husband.
Setting up the campaign, his mum said he has been left 'starting over with nothing' following his return from the USA.
'Your continued support and help is more important than ever. post release. He is home with only the clothes he had on the day ICE took him,' she wrote.
'He is now having to have a lot of medical attention physical and mentally he is extremely unstable and extremely underweight it will take a long time for him to heal.
'We as a family are struggling financially to meet the raising costs. Everything we are doing for our son Lee costs an astronomical amount of money.
'Any help we can receive would still be greatly appreciated. To help him get his life back on track.'
The 46-year-old is a 'valued member' of the Key West community, according to a petition set up by locals to campaign for Lee's release.
The petition said he has been 'earning the trust and respect of colleagues, customers, and supervisors and has been a tax-paying member of the community since 2019'.
It adds that Lee's detention has 'caused significant hardship to his family, friends, and our community. As residents of Key West, we rely on each other for support, and the absence of Lee has left a noticeable gap in our daily lives. Lee poses no danger to our community and has no criminal history.'
Lee is one of tens of thousands detained by immigration authorities following Donald Trump's vow to deport millions of undocumented migrants from the US.
Among those detained have been New York City's mayoral candidate Brad Lander and one of the world's biggest TikTok stars, Khaby Lame.
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