HOLLYWOOD, Fla. — A Hollywood woman suffering from a rare brain disease is pleading for her husband’s release after ICE agents took him away outside their home.

The family says Fernando Acuna has no criminal record and is now being held while his immigration case is pending.

The woman, who asked that her identity be protected because she fears she could also be targeted, says her doctors have told her to avoid stress.

“My doctors have told me the least I need to have is stress,” she said.

But she says the arrest of her husband has made that nearly impossible.

The family says Acuna was dropping off his younger son when ICE agents approached him.

“My dad was dropping off my little brother. A family friend came to pick him up for soccer practice. And ICE agents ambushed him,” his son Fernando Acuna said.

The family says they were not expecting immigration agents because Acuna has no deportation order and no criminal history.

“We didn’t even suspect that it was ICE or anything immigration because, like I said, my dad has no deportation order. My dad has zero criminal history,” his son said.

The woman suffers from AVM, a rare brain deformity affecting less than 1% of the population. She has had multiple strokes and surgeries over the years as she continues her treatment.

The family says the surgeries and treatment she has received in the U.S. would not have been available to her in Ecuador.

“These are surgeries that you were told you would never be able to get in Ecuador,” she said. “No, it’s not possible over there.”

Twenty-five years ago, Acuna left his soccer career in Ecuador and brought his wife to South Florida for treatment.

The couple originally came to the U.S. on a medical visa, but that visa expired.

The family says they most recently petitioned for deferred action in 2023, and that request is still pending.

Now, the family is fighting to have Acuna released.

“Mercy for my husband,” his wife said.

“We want my dad to be able to fight his case from home,” his son said.

The family describes Acuna as a hardworking husband and father who has spent years caring for his wife.

“My dad dropped everything to save my mom’s life,” his son said. “He’s worked two jobs for over 15 years.”

“I want to stand up for him because he did it for me,” his wife said.

The family says they hope Acuna can return home while he fights his immigration case.

Local 10 reached out to the State Department for the latest on Acuna’s visa petition. The department has yet to respond.

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