Dozens of Military Spouses and Parents Detained Under New Trump ICE Policy: Report

AP Photo/Alex Brandon

More than 50 parents and spouses of active duty military members have been detained during President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown in his second administration, according to the Associated Press.

The AP dropped a lengthy report on Wednesday, revealing that dozens of military members’ family members have been detained, and some deported, leading to concerns about military readiness during the Iran war, as well as branches like the Army continuing to advertise the immigration benefits of service.

AP compiled its list of detainees, at least six of whom have been deported, “by analyzing thousands of federal court records compiled by Habeas Dockets, a project run by the Immigration Justice Transparency Initiative; by reviewing existing media coverage; and by verifying information with family members and attorneys.”

The report notes the actual number is likely higher than 50, but the Department of Homeland Security does not specifically track these cases.

The crackdown on military families is due to a new policy implemented in Trump’s second term that declares “military service alone does not exempt aliens from the consequences of violating U.S. immigration laws.”

What’s led to confusion for some soldiers is that branches like the Army still promote the “parole-in-place” program, which allows family members of soldiers to change their legal status.

Some parents and spouses, however, have been detained and even deported while in the process of changing their legal status, which now takes months longer than it did before Trump returned to the White House.

Army Sgt. Hedar Leonel Turcios Juarez, who was stationed in Fort Bliss, Texas, said his wife was detained outside of a Walmart in front of their 6-year-old child.

“How can I even focus on my military career because I have to worry about how my wife is doing?” he asked.

Air Force Tech. Sgt. Wendy Gbeve also said her father was detained during a routine interview with immigration officials. He was deported back to Mexico before she received any more updates.

“It’s the most frustrating, helpless feeling,” she said.

Army Staff Sgt. Alexis Jaramillo said he had to go on administrative leave to take care of his child after his wife, Maisa Lopes Eliaser, was detained last month.

U.S. Army Specialist Romero Ralios called the deportation of his father “karma” after his work at the southern border with Border Patrol.

“It was karma. I should’ve known,” he said. “All those families I broke. I have regrets.”

Capt. Mohamed Elmaola, Ralios’s commanding officer, warned military officers and leaders are losing credibility in the face of these detentions, which have, in some cases, required DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin to step in.

“It’s very hard to communicate and to have credibility as a leader when your own subordinates are unable to get support,” the captain said. “Considering he enlisted his time and his life into supporting and defending the United States Constitution, it is the right thing to do to support soldiers and their families.”

DHS did not comment on specific cases, but told AP eight people detained had removal orders and two “had drunken driving or drug-related convictions.”

“DHS and ICE value the contributions of all those who have served in the U.S. military,” the agency said in a statement. “U.S. military service alone does not automatically grant lawful immigration status, or exempt aliens from the consequences of violating U.S. immigration laws.”

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