Soldier’s Wife Is Arrested at Immigration Appointment. He Says They’ve Done ‘Everything by the Book,’ but ICE Disagrees

**Military Family Faces Deportation Drama Amid Immigration Enforcement**

In a troubling incident highlighting the tension between military families and immigration enforcement, U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Jose Serrano has spoken out following the detention of his wife, Deisy Rivera Ortega, by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The arrest occurred during an immigration office appointment on April 14 in El Paso, Texas, while Rivera Ortega was seeking to legalise her status as a military spouse.

Jose Serrano, who has dedicated over 25 years of service to the U.S. Army, asserted that his wife has consistently complied with immigration regulations. “She followed the rules of immigration by the T since day one,” he emphasised during an interview with CBS News. Rivera Ortega, originally from El Salvador, has been working at a hotel near Fort Bliss and possesses a work permit valid until 2030. However, according to ICE, this permit does not provide her with legal status to remain in the country.

The couple’s ordeal is compounded by the fact that Rivera Ortega may face deportation to Mexico, a country where Serrano says she lacks any real connections. He expressed distress over the potential separation, stating that he might not be able to visit her due to restrictions on U.S. service members travelling to Mexico.

Serrano recounted the shocking moment when his wife was apprehended. He reported that, as they were at the end of the hallway during her immigration appointment, agents placed handcuffs on Rivera Ortega and took her away without providing any explanation. “I was asking, ‘Hey, what’s going on?’ but no one told me anything,” he said.

The Army veteran’s situation is reflective of a broader trend in immigration enforcement that has sparked outrage among many families and communities, particularly those connected to the military. Serrano stated, “I love the Army… It’s not the Army, it’s ICE; they are out of control right now, taking away rights that we have.” His words echo a sentiment shared by numerous service members who feel their families are unfairly targeted by immigration laws.

Official statements from ICE paint a different picture. According to a spokesperson, Rivera Ortega entered the United States illegally in 2016 and was previously convicted for illegal entry. The spokesperson clarified that work authorisation does not equate to legal status, asserting that Rivera Ortega remains in ICE custody pending removal.

Adding another layer to the narrative, court documents reveal that Rivera Ortega was previously granted protection from deportation to El Salvador by an immigration judge in 2019. However, this decision does not safeguard her from removal to another country, creating a precarious situation for the family.

The mental toll on Serrano has been significant. He expressed the difficulties he has faced since the arrest, revealing, “I can’t sleep even with the medication, I can’t even read. It’s super painful and stressful to not be able to do anything.” This statement underscores the emotional strain experienced not only by military families but also by those navigating the troubled waters of immigration policy.

In a related incident, another military couple recently found themselves in similar turmoil. Staff Sgt. Matthew Blank and his wife, Annie Ramos, were also caught off-guard when Ramos was detained by ICE after seeking to register for military benefits at Fort Polk Army base. Blank lamented, “I never imagined that trying to do the right thing… would lead to her being taken away.” This highlights a concerning trend where individuals seeking necessary services find themselves ensnared by strict immigration enforcement.

As public debate continues over immigration policies and their implications for military families, the situation surrounding Rivera Ortega and Blank serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities faced by those serving the nation. The repercussions of such arrests ripple through families, affecting their emotional well-being and often complicating their lives in profound ways.

The stories of these military families seem poised to draw further scrutiny as advocates for immigration reform and human rights demand changes to legislation that appears to disproportionately impact those connected to the armed forces. The continued enforcement of stringent immigration laws raises questions about the treatment of individuals seeking support within the military community, further complicating the intersection between national security and the lives of those who serve.