A U.S. Army sergeant, Jose Serrano, has voiced concern after his wife, Deisy Rivera Ortega, was recently detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during an appointment at an immigration office in El Paso, Texas. Serrano, who has served for 27 years, including a deployment to Afghanistan, expressed confusion and frustration, stating, “She followed the rules from day one.”
Rivera Ortega, a Salvadoran national, has lived in the U.S. since 2016. She received legal protection in 2019, which should have prevented her from being deported. However, ICE claims she entered the U.S. illegally and was ordered deported in December 2019. Serrano reiterated that Rivera Ortega has no ties to Mexico, which further complicates her situation.
Matthew Kozik, their attorney and a former military judge, stated, “This situation is absurd.” He believes the detention of Rivera Ortega is illegal and has filed a court petition for her release. Kozik’s experience as a military veteran fuels his commitment to fight for their rights.
Serrano shared the emotional toll this has taken on him, saying he’s struggling to sleep and is concerned about the implications of his wife’s detention on their family life. He pointed out the contradiction in the government’s stance, noting that many military families are affected despite their service to the country.
In similar instances, other military families have faced deportation issues. For example, Annie Ramos was detained just days after marrying a sergeant who was preparing for deployment. Ramos, a student with no criminal record, was initially ordered deported as a child due to a missed immigration hearing.
Recent statistics show that deportation numbers have risen, often impacting those who serve in the military. In 2022, ICE reported over 170 detentions involving military families. This trend raises questions about how federal policies treat the families of service members.
On social media, many have reacted strongly to these incidents, expressing solidarity with the families and criticizing the administration’s approach to immigration enforcement. This increasing awareness may lead to broader discussions about the treatment of military families and immigration policy.
The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, has yet to provide detailed comments on Rivera Ortega’s case. Meanwhile, the Army has directed inquiries to DHS. This situation underscores the challenges military families face in navigating the complexities of immigration laws and policies.
For more in-depth insights, you can visit CBS News for a full report.
