Saco father detained by ICE at jetport on way to visit deaf son

Father of Portland Family Detained by ICE at Airport, Sent to New Hampshire Detention Center

A Maine family’s early‑morning trip to Washington, D.C. turned into a sudden disappearance when Nguinamau Celestino was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the Portland International Jetport on Friday, Oct. 6, 2026. The 47‑year‑old plumbing and HVAC worker, who had been living in the Portland area since 2017, is now being held at the Strafford County Corrections facility in Dover, New Hampshire.

The Celestinos, originally from Angola and later residents of Namibia, arrived in the United States as asylum seekers. Their applications are still pending; only their daughter, 24‑year‑old medical technician Margarida, has a U.S. green card. The family includes wife Sukombo, eldest daughter Margarida, and three sons—Lionel (21), Nludi (18), and Abel (15), who is a high‑school student at a school for the deaf in Portland.

What Happened at the Jetport

Margarida’s father had planned an early flight to Washington to visit Abel, who had just started his first semester at East End Community School, where he receives special services and plays for the Baxter Seagulls, an American Sign Language basketball team for students with hearing impairments. On the night of the flight, Margarida’s mother drove Nguinamau to the airport at about 3 a.m. He walked directly to security, where ICE agents were positioned. When he presented his identification to a TSA officer, the agents reportedly reviewed his picture, identified him, and detained him. “Usually we see videos of people being taken, but unfortunately, everything with my dad was so silent,” Margarida told reporters. “Nobody said anything.”

Margarida woke at 6 a.m. to two missed calls from her father, which she returned but received no answer. She was en route to work when her mother called, informing her of the emergency. The family quickly mobilized: Margarida’s husband, a U.S. citizen, flew into Portland at 9 a.m. to bring a jacket, since a former detained family member had warned that the ICE facility was cold and his father was sensitive to low temperatures.

ICE Investigation and Transfer

ICE confirmed on Tuesday that Celestino was arrested during “targeted operations” last week. An agency spokesperson said he entered the country legally but “violated the terms of his lawful admission and remained in the U.S. illegally for nearly eight years.” The detainee locator now lists him as being held at Dover, New Hampshire.

The initial detention took place at the ICE facility in Scarborough, Maine. By the time Margarida’s husband arrived, Nguinamau had already been transferred out of the state. The family lost several personal items, including his work authorization card, Social Security card, and Angolan ID, which were missing from the wallet that was retrieved when the family collected his belongings.

Family and Community Response

The Celestinos have been in regular contact with their father by phone, and Margarida reports that he is “doing alright” despite the ordeal. The family organized a GoFundMe campaign that has raised almost $30,000, part of which has been sent to Nguinamau to cover basic needs. The fundraiser also provides for his legal fees and the cost of his daily medications, which he is allowed to keep.

The incident has drawn attention from local advocacy groups. The Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing’s co‑directors, Steve Connolly and Catherine Lushman, posted a statement on Facebook that read: “Our Deaf and Hard of Hearing community has always been strengthened by the connections we build, the families we support, and our willingness to stand together when someone is in need. This is a time to put those values into action.” They are drafting letters to U.S. Senators Angus King and Susan Collins, urging them to intervene on behalf of the Celestinos.

Margarida expressed concern over how her father’s detention might affect the rest of the family. Her mother has lupus and high blood pressure, requiring regular trips to Boston for treatment every three weeks—a schedule she fears could be disrupted. Abel, who had been looking forward to spending the weekend with his father in Washington, had to leave school early, and the family had to arrange for a friend to watch him during the long weekend.

Broader Context

The Portland Jetport has seen several ICE detentions in recent months. In August, nurse Debora Kapisha, an asylum seeker, was detained by ICE during a routine security screening but was later released. ICE has increased its presence at airports nationwide, prompting criticism from civil‑rights advocates who argue that such operations disproportionately target vulnerable populations, including those seeking asylum.

Nguinamau Celestino’s case illustrates the personal impact of these policies. He has worked for Pine State Services, an HVAC and plumbing company in the Portland area, and earned an associate’s degree from Southern Maine Community College. His children have attended Portland Public Schools, with Abel receiving services at East End Community School and participating in local athletics.

The family’s ordeal underscores the uncertainty that many immigrants face while awaiting the resolution of their legal status. As the Celestinos await the outcome of their petition, the community’s support and the attention of local lawmakers may help ensure that their father’s detention does not become a permanent setback.