An Italian teenager who was trying to visit family in Washington as a tourist, but who was detained and sent home before leaving the airport, says he still wants to visit in the future. February 23rd, 19-year-old Paolo Amoruso was detained in Chicago O’Hare International Airport by Immigration and Customs officials. While being detained, he signed an affidavit that he was going to work in the U.S. However, his aunt, Lorraine Williams, owner of Cafe Dodici says he was coming as a tourist to perfect his English and visit family for 81 days. She says he still wants to visit, but she’d likely go to Italy first and travel back with him, so he wouldn’t be alone.

A GoFundMe account was set up following the incident, and within days the $2,000 to cover his plane tickets and some attorneys fees was raised. To hear more about Paolo’s experience listen to the Washington Page with Williams.