The wife of a U.S. Army sergeant has been released from federal immigration custody after a month-long detention, according to the office of U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth. Deisy Rivera Ortega's release follows an intervention by the Illinois Democrat.
Details of the Arrest
Her husband, Sergeant Jose Serrano, an active-duty soldier stationed in Texas who completed three tours in Afghanistan, had previously informed The Associated Press that immigration agents arrested Rivera Ortega on April 14. This occurred during an appointment with immigration services as she sought to advance her application for permanent residency.
Senator Duckworth's Intervention
Senator Duckworth, a combat veteran herself, personally contacted Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin on Wednesday to advocate for Rivera Ortega's release. She was subsequently freed on Thursday evening.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), confirmed her release. A spokesperson stated: "Rivera-Ortega has been released from ICE custody with a GPS tracking device, mandatory home visits, and ICE office check-ins. She will receive full due process."
Background on Rivera Ortega
According to the DHS, Rivera Ortega entered the U.S. illegally in 2016, and a judge issued a final order of removal for her in December 2019. Serrano, who is stationed in the Fort Bliss area, and Rivera Ortega have been married since 2022. Rivera Ortega, who was employed by two hotels, held a military spouse ID card and a valid work permit, according to Duckworth's office. She had been applying for the parole-in-place program designed to shield the immediate relatives of military family members from immigration enforcement as they took steps to adjust their legal status.
Policy Changes
Last April, DHS eliminated a 2022 policy that considered military service of an immediate family member to be a "significant mitigating factor" in deciding whether or not to pursue immigration enforcement. The administration's new policy states that "military service alone does not exempt aliens from the consequences of violating U.S. immigration laws."
According to DHS, more than 100 immediate family members of military veterans have been placed into removal proceedings under the Trump administration's mass deportation agenda. Following public outcry and intervention from congressional leaders on both sides of the aisle, spouses of veterans and active duty U.S. soldiers have been released from federal immigration custody in some cases.
