Q COSTA RICA — “I’m out again. I’m struggling to get the first word out. There is nothing more important to say than ‘thank you.’ You have no idea how grateful I am to you (…).” were the words of Julián Valverde, a Costa Rican content creator detained in Florida for driving with an expired license—an incident that subsequently led to his being held due to his irregular immigration status.
“There I was, locked up, and you—in one way or another—were supporting me. It was the first time I’d seen my sister in a long time,” the Costa Rican said tearfully in a video shared on social media.
The content creator added that he would like the incident to serve as a lesson and thanked those who were concerned about him, although he did not reveal further details.
“I want people to view this as a learning experience. I make mistakes—even in a situation like that—but you have to be responsible. I don’t consider myself a criminal; I just had an expired license. The law is the law. This video isn’t about making excuses; I just wanted to share what happened. My friends, the people I love, and even strangers have been standing up for me. That made me realize who is truly in my corner. I’m doing well. I’m healthy—it’s a blessing,” Valverde commented.
Valverde, detained on Wednesday, September 16, by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, southwest of the Orlando metro area, in Florida, was released on Friday after a Florida state judge set bail at $250 for the charge related to the license—which had been expired for more than six months—and ordered that Valverde be turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
After several days of uncertainty and messages sent from prison, the Costa Rican content creator confirmed that he regained his freedom after being detained and subsequently placed in ICE custody.
Valverde also stated that he would be able to remain in the United States, meaning he will not have to return to Costa Rica for the time being.