Peruvian boxer Alessandra Pajuelo has been held in a United States immigration detention center for about two months after a traffic stop ended with her transfer to immigration authorities. According to her family, Pajuelo possessed a valid work permit and an active employment contract in the United States.
Her family said she also had immigration hearings scheduled up to 2028, meaning authorities were already aware of her status. Despite this, a recent meeting did not bring her release and instead resulted in a two-month extension of her detention.
The extension prolongs the uncertainty facing the athlete, who remains alone in the United States while her family is in Peru. Before her detention interrupted her activities, Pajuelo was building a sports career in the United States, earning three victories in three professional fights.
Family appeal for official intervention
Pajuelo competed as part of the Miami team in tournaments across the United States and worked as a teacher for children. Her family is seeking help to draw attention to the case and accelerate the process that could lead to her release.
Speaking from Peru, her family wants authorities to learn about the situation and intervene to find a solution. The immediate goal for Pajuelo is to regain her freedom and return to boxing, the activity that marked her life in recent years.
Her relatives continue seeking support so her case can be addressed, allowing her to resume her sporting and working life. Her situation highlights broader immigration challenges faced by some immigrant athletes who must navigate legal procedures while developing professional careers in the United States.
