Army Sergeant's Newlywed Wife Detained by ICE at Fort Polk Military Base
A young US Army staff sergeant and his new bride were preparing to begin their married life together at a military base in Louisiana when immigration authorities abruptly intervened, detaining the wife just as they were about to move in.
Sudden Detention During Base Registration
Matthew Blank, 23, arrived with his 22-year-old wife Annie Ramos at Fort Polk on Thursday, where he was scheduled to begin training for deployment. The couple had planned to register Ramos for her military spouse benefits and identification before settling into their new home after the Easter weekend.
'Our plan was to drive over, bring her to the office to get her military ID and activate her military spouse benefits,' Blank explained to the New York Times. 'She was going to move in after the Easter weekend. Instead, she got ripped away from me.'
The newlyweds arrived early for their 2pm appointment and checked in at the visitor's center with all necessary documentation, including Ramos's birth certificate and passport, their marriage license, and Blank's military identification.
Escalation to Immigration Authorities
When Ramos informed a base employee that she lacked a green card or visa, the situation quickly escalated. According to family accounts, the worker made frantic phone calls before a supervisor involved the base's criminal investigation division, which subsequently contacted Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security.
Ramos was handcuffed and transported to another building, then to a processing facility. She is currently being held at an ICE detention center in Basile, Louisiana, approximately 70 miles from Fort Polk.
Legal Status and Ongoing Immigration Process
Blank was fully aware that his wife, who was brought to the United States from Honduras as a toddler, did not have legal immigration status. The couple had proactively hired an attorney before their marriage to navigate the path toward citizenship.
'We were doing everything the right way,' Blank emphasized. Their lawyer had already prepared a green card application that was set to be filed imminently.
However, the Department of Homeland Security stated that Ramos 'had no legal status to be in this country' and had been issued a final order of removal by a judge in 2005 when her family failed to appear in immigration court. The department added that 'this administration is not going to ignore the rule of law.'
Personal Background and Education
Ramos, who has no criminal record, told the Times: 'I grew up here like any American. This is all I know. My husband and family are here.'
The young woman was just months away from completing her bachelor's degree in biochemistry at Arizona State University. A devoted Christian, she regularly taught children's Sunday School at her Texas church.
Blank's mother, Jen Rickling, described her daughter-in-law as 'absolutely a darling' and added, 'We adore her.'
Romantic Beginning and Wedding Celebration
The couple met on a dating app last year and quickly fell in love, becoming engaged on New Year's Day. They celebrated their marriage last month in Houston with 60 guests before driving to Louisiana to begin their new life together.
On her wedding day, Ramos's mother posted a heartfelt message: 'From the moment you were born, I knew your story would be beautiful… and today, I see it becoming a reality. I knew then that you were a unique gift from God. You have always been strong, loving, and full of light.'
Military Service and Family Response
Blank, who has served in the military for five years with previous deployments to Europe and the Middle East, is scheduled to begin training for deployment at the end of the month. He was assigned to a brigade at Fort Polk.
'We are going to fight with everything I have. She is going to move in with me. We will start a family,' Blank declared. 'I am going to be with her and serve my country.'
Fundraising for Legal Support
Blank's sister, Elizabeth Kluball, established a GoFundMe campaign to support the family's efforts to reunite the couple. The fundraising page notes that Ramos has 'deep roots and connections' in the United States.
'This situation has placed an enormous emotional and financial strain on all of us, especially as my brother faces the challenges of serving our country while worrying about his wife’s future,' the page states. 'We are doing everything we can to support her, but the legal process is complex and costly.'
The family requested $12,000 for legal fees and has already raised $8,000 toward that goal. The funds are intended to support Ramos's citizenship process and ensure she receives proper legal representation during this critical period.
The Daily Mail contacted both the US Military and Department of Homeland Security for additional comment on this developing situation.
