ICE Detains Man at Green Card Interview, Wife Says (Full Transcript)

[00:00:00] Speaker 1: This couple has been separated by ICE for more than two months, and the wife says she had no idea how to contact her husband for several days. Mateus Silveira was arrested at his Green Card interview back in November, and his wife Hannah Silveira spoke to CNN's Alex Michaelson when she didn't know where he was.

[00:00:16] Speaker 2: They said he didn't know where he is, to which I say, if you are going to operate as if you are the most organized federal agency, then you should be in alignment with that at all times and know where your people are.

[00:00:28] Speaker 1: CNN reached out to the Department of Homeland Security. They said Silveira is, quote, a criminal illegal alien from Brazil who overstayed his F-1 student visa. He was previously arrested for driving under the influence. Hannah Silveira, who is a lawyer, said that doesn't mean he's not entitled to a Green Card.

[00:00:44] Speaker 2: I think it's important to note that that does not make you ineligible for a Green Card in the United States. We were at all times able to remain and continue to pursue his Green Card. He has been upstanding ever since. He is just here, like everyone else, trying to contribute to the society he lives in.

[00:01:02] Speaker 1: She is sharing their journey on TikTok, amassing millions of views.

[00:01:05] Speaker 2: At the end of the day, these aren't immigrants. That's not their title. They're people. These are real people that this is happening to. And it has become a passion of mine to spread awareness that there are so many people just like us, families like us, that their lives are being affected, if not ripped apart every single day.

[00:01:22] Speaker 1: DHS said Silveira will remain in ICE custody pending removal proceedings. My husband has finally been located. A day after speaking to CNN, Hannah Silveira posted this video on TikTok to say her husband had been located.