Since January 2025, when the Trump administration resumed power, more than 50 parents and spouses of active-duty U.S. military personnel have been taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to a report released by the Associated Press on Thursday.
The affected service members, predominantly Hispanic, express a sense of betrayal by a government that simultaneously uses the promise of immigration benefits to lure Latino recruits.
The AP report indicates that at least six family members have already been deported, and at least eight were held in federal immigration custody at the time of publication.
The agency warns that the actual number of those affected likely exceeds the 51 identified cases, as ICE does not keep a separate count for relatives of active-duty military personnel.
Immigration Policies Cause Uproar
The contradiction fueling the discontent is evident: military recruiters, particularly from the Marine Corps, actively promoted the Parole in Place (PIP) program between 2025 and 2026 as an incentive for Latino immigrants to enlist, suggesting that their families would be shielded from deportation.
However, on April 10, 2025, ICE officially rescinded the directive that considered military service a mitigating factor in immigration enforcement decisions.
The new guideline is explicit: "Military service alone does not exempt foreigners from the consequences of violating U.S. immigration laws."
Case Studies Highlight Injustice
Among the most documented cases is that of Deisy Rivera Ortega, wife of Sergeant First Class José Serrano, a military member with 27 years of active service.
Rivera Ortega was detained by ICE in April during a routine immigration appointment in El Paso, Texas, while processing her Parole in Place. ICE initially promised her release, then reversed course, announcing her deportation; the family responded with a habeas corpus petition in federal court.
Another earlier case involves Shirly Guardado, the wife of an Army sergeant, who was deported to Honduras in June 2025 after spending 11 weeks in detention while also processing the PIP.
Adding to the list is Tirso Alonso, father of Marine Christopher Alonso, age 19. Alonso was apprehended by ICE in West Palm Beach while heading to church, coinciding with his son's deployment at a military base in South Carolina.
The paradox in all these cases is similar: individuals attending immigration appointments to legalize their status ended up being arrested for complying with the legal process.
Legislative Backlash
According to data provided by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to the Senate, between January 20, 2025, and January 26, 2026, ICE initiated deportation proceedings against 282 individuals who were either former military members or immediate family members of military personnel.
Democratic lawmakers, including Senator Elizabeth Warren and Congresswoman Houlahan, have sent formal letters to DHS and the Department of Defense demanding explanations and the suspension of these deportations.
An analysis published by Military Times highlights that the immigration-related stress faced by these soldiers poses an operational readiness issue that the Pentagon has yet to officially measure or acknowledge.
Frequently Asked Questions on Military and Immigration Issues
How many military families have been affected by ICE detentions?
More than 50 parents and spouses of active-duty military personnel have been detained by ICE, with at least six already deported and eight in custody.
What is the Parole in Place program?
Parole in Place (PIP) is a program that was promoted to protect immigrant family members of military personnel from deportation. However, ICE has since revoked the protection it offered to military families.
What actions have lawmakers taken in response to these deportations?
Democratic lawmakers, including Senator Elizabeth Warren and Congresswoman Houlahan, have sent letters to DHS and the Department of Defense demanding explanations and a halt to the deportations.