Immigration Detention of Military Spouse Raises Concerns: The Case of Sgt. First Class Jose Serrano and Deisy Rivera Ortega
A U.S. Army sergeant with 27 years of military service, including in Afghanistan, expressed confusion over his wife's recent detention by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Texas. Sgt. First Class Jose Serrano's wife, Deisy Rivera Ortega, was arrested by ICE during an immigration office appointment in El Paso. Rivera Ortega, who has been in the U.S. since 2016, was granted protection in 2019, but ICE claims she entered the country illegally and could be deported to a third country like Mexico, where she has no ties. She is currently held at ICE's El Paso processing center.
Serrano criticized ICE for his wife's detention, stating that she followed immigration rules and had an active work permit. He expressed concern that he might not be able to see his wife if she is sent to Mexico due to military travel restrictions. Serrano, who has faced mental health challenges, including PTSD and depression, said his wife's detention has worsened his condition, causing him to sleep only two hours a night.
Under the Trump administration, ICE has increased detentions of immigrant spouses and parents of U.S. service members, even those with deportation orders or in the U.S. illegally. DHS stated that Rivera Ortega was ordered deported in 2019 for illegal entry into the U.S. and remains in ICE custody pending removal. Serrano had applied for Parole in Place for his wife, a program offering deportation protections to military spouses without legal status, but her case is still pending.
Rivera Ortega was granted protection under the Convention Against Torture, preventing her deportation to El Salvador and allowing her to work lawfully in the U.S. However, this protection does not provide a pathway to citizenship or prevent deportation to third countries. Serrano's attorney filed a habeas petition in federal court challenging Rivera Ortega's detention, arguing that it is unlawful. The situation has caused distress for the military family, with Serrano questioning the actions of ICE and the impact on his military career.
In conclusion, the detention of Deisy Rivera Ortega by ICE has raised concerns for her husband, Sgt. First Class Jose Serrano, and their family. The case highlights the challenges faced by immigrant spouses of U.S. service members and the impact of immigration policies on military families.