Army sergeant's husband remains deported to El Salvador despite legal efforts
Nov 27, 2025·Location: Houston, TX
Country of origin: El Salvador

Fredy Arcenio Zavala-Baires, 25, a Salvadoran national who entered the U.S. as a child, was detained at an ICE appointment in November 2025 and deported to El Salvador on November 27, 2025, despite being married to Sgt. Nataly Castro, a seven-year Army National Guard veteran. An immigration judge issued a removal order against him in 2017, which was affirmed by the Board of Immigration Appeals in 2018. As of June 2026, Castro had spent over $3,000 in legal fees attempting to bring her husband back, while ICE officials maintained that Zavala-Baires received full due process and that clear legal pathways exist for military spouses seeking immigration benefits.
Sources
- ICE Disputes Texas Army Guard Sergeant's Recounting of Spouse's Deportation
military.com·Jun 10, 2026·archived copy
- ICE Disputes Texas Army Guard Sergeant’s Recounting of Spouse’s Deportation
firearmsforever.org·Jun 10, 2026·archived copy
- Army National Guard Sergeant Spends Over $3K to Bring Back Deported Husband
military.com·Jun 5, 2026·archived copy
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