U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Jose Serrano is grappling with his wife Deisy Rivera Ortega’s unexpected detention by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Texas. The couple married in 2022, and Deisy has lived in the U.S. for over a decade. She received legal protection that should shield her from deportation, yet ICE arrested her last week during a routine immigration appointment.
Serrano, who has dedicated 27 years to the Army and served in Afghanistan, is confused about why his wife’s compliance with immigration rules isn’t enough for her to stay. “She has always followed the immigration rules,” he shared. Despite her legal work permit at the time of her arrest, ICE views her case differently, claiming she entered the U.S. illegally and could be deported to Mexico, a country where she has no connections.
As of now, Rivera Ortega is held at the El Paso processing center. Serrano is concerned that if she is sent to Mexico, it will create significant barriers for them to reunite, especially given military restrictions on travel there. “We don’t know anyone in Mexico,” he noted. The situation has also taken a toll on his mental health, as he battles PTSD and other challenges. “I’m only sleeping about two hours a night now,” he admitted.
Historically, ICE has been cautious about detaining military family members, which adds to the uncertainty surrounding Rivera Ortega’s case. However, there’s been a shift in recent years. Under previous administrations, particularly during Trump’s term, policies changed, expanding the scope for ICE detentions. Current trends show an increase in detaining immigrant spouses of service members, which experts say is unsettling for military families. Danitza James, a U.S. military veteran, emphasized this point: “When families are left uncertain, it affects mission readiness.”
Data indicates that ICE is increasingly scrutinizing individuals with any previous deportation orders, regardless of their circumstances. In Rivera Ortega’s case, despite being granted protection under a United Nations treaty, her legal status doesn’t guarantee safety from deportation to a third country. Matthew Kozik, an attorney assisting the couple, has taken the case to federal court, arguing that the detention is unlawful.
This situation is not isolated. Many military families face similar issues, raising alarm about ICE’s aggressive approach. Recent reports highlight that military members are facing stress and anxiety due to fear of losing their families. For these service members, the promise to protect their families is being overshadowed by bureaucratic complications.
Serrano’s plea for clarity in his wife’s situation shines a light on the broader implications of immigration policies on military families. As debates and policies evolve, the fate of families like his remains uncertain.
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