Credit: UniversalWhen guests think about what makes Orlando’s theme parks special, they usually picture the rides, the castles, and the immersive lands. But much of the magic comes from people: the performers who fly through the air, tumble across stages, and bring stories to life several times a day.
At Universal Epic Universe, one of those shows is The Untrainable Dragon, a live production on the Isle of Berk inspired by How to Train Your Dragon. Like many park shows, it relies on skilled acrobats to pull off its stunts.
Some of those performers have long careers that stretch across multiple companies and cities, from local circus schools to some of the biggest entertainment names in the world.
This week, the story of two of those performers is drawing attention far beyond the parks.
Detained After Landing in Phoenix
According to Phoenix TV station 12News, two performers from Argentina, Augustin Baccega and Gustavo Romanello, were detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
The men had flown in from Florida on Saturday morning, according to public radio station KJZZ. Their friend Jonathan Batchelor said they had returned to Arizona to attend a funeral.
Batchelor told KJZZ he was on the phone with Romanello when the two were approached inside the airport by two men in plain clothes. According to 12News, friends said ICE agents met them as soon as they got off the plane. KJZZ reported that a photo shared with the station shows Baccega being handcuffed by an agent wearing a camo shirt and a baseball cap.
From Circus School to Epic Universe
Baccega and Romanello have lived in the United States since 2020, according to 12News. Both graduated from college, with Romanello finishing as valedictorian, and they built careers as professional acrobats in the circus community.
The pair spent several years at the Arizona Circus Center in Phoenix, where they formed close friendships with fellow performers. After moving from Arizona to Florida, they worked at Walt Disney World Resort, according to 12News. Their acrobatic work also includes performing in The Untrainable Dragon at Universal Epic Universe, and both men have shared photos of their performances on Instagram.
The detentions have hit Arizona’s circus community hard. Fellow circus artist Crissy Jung told 12News she believes the men should be released and allowed to return to their friends. “It’s happening to people who make extraordinary contributions to society,” she said.
What Their Friend Says
“They came to the U.S. on visas; they applied for asylum, and the U.S. confirmed their applications,” he told 12News. “They were following the process. They had work permits; they were totally legal to be working. They were paying taxes and Social Security. All their documents were in order.”
He also told KJZZ that both men have pending immigration cases and no criminal record.
According to Batchelor, the agents did not tell the men why they were being detained. “It’s terrifying to have men who didn’t identify themselves basically snatch you off the street,” he said.
He added that it has been difficult to get information or reach his friends since the arrests. “One of them we know is at the Florence Service processing center. The other we’re told is being taken there, but we haven’t been able to confirm that. They’ve now been for days without a blanket, a pillow, without anything to lay down on. They’re in a room with hundreds of people with no idea as to what’s happening.”
The Questions Still Hanging
Many key details remain unclear. ICE did not respond to KJZZ’s questions about the arrests, and 12News said it has not confirmed the legal basis for the detentions.
It’s also worth knowing how the system can work in cases like this. As 12News pointed out, having a pending asylum application does not automatically protect someone from being detained. In a September 29 ruling, the Board of Immigration Appeals said a pending application on its own is not enough to show that a person is unlikely to flee.
We also haven’t seen any public comment from Universal Orlando Resort or Walt Disney World Resort about the two performers.
For now, friends say they are still working to confirm where both men are being held and what happens next.
A Developing Story
This is still an unfolding situation, and there’s a lot we don’t know yet. We’ll keep following it and share updates as more information becomes available, including any statements from ICE, Universal, or Disney.
Have you seen Baccega or Romanello perform at Epic Universe or Walt Disney World? We’d like to hear your thoughts in the comments. We know immigration is a topic people feel strongly about, so please keep the conversation respectful and remember there are real people and families at the center of this story.
