Military family members arrested at an ICE or USCIS office in Texas
Documented stories describe spouses and mothers of U.S. military service members being detained by ICE or USCIS in Texas cities including El Paso, Houston, Dallas, Corpus Christi, and San Antonio, often while appearing for routine check-ins, green card interviews, or picking up ID cards. Several were held for extended periods ranging from weeks to nearly ten months, with outcomes including release after judicial or congressional intervention, continued detention, and at least one deportation to Mexico. This pattern was first documented in April 2026, became recurring by September 2026, and now makes up a larger share of reported cases than earlier in the record.
First documented Apr 2026, recurring since Sep 2026. A larger share of recent stories than earlier ones.
Share of each month's well-documented stories, Jan 2025 to Oct 2026. Volume is not shown: coverage grew over the record, shares did not have to.
6 stories in 1 state. What accompanies this practice →
Texas
Malena C.S.: Cuban wife of Army veteran held nearly 10 months after ICE check-inMalena Chacón Santos, 24, a Cuban stepmother married to a disabled Army veteran, has been held nearly 10 months after a routine check-in, with a judge recently denying her release.Dallas, TX · Sep 22, 2026 · Texas Tribune, News from the States, CiberCuba
Giovanna P.: Soldier's wife reported to ICE by Navy while picking up kids' IDsGiovanna Perez, 35, drove her four citizen children to a Navy base for ID cards and was reported to ICE, then detained despite a pending application meant to protect military families like hers.Corpus Christi, TX · Sep 21, 2026 · txgazette.com, Associated Press
Arelys B.M.: Army veteran's wife detained at routine ICE check-in, faces deportationArelys Barahona-Martinez, 40, married to a retired Army staff sergeant, was detained at a routine Dallas check-in and faces deportation despite years of compliance. She was later granted bond but remains jailed pending payment.Dallas, TX · Sep 15, 2026 · CBS News, BBC, Readers ID +4
Maria R.M.: Naval Academy midshipman's mother detained at green card interview, deported to MexicoMaria Rocha-Martinez, mother of a Naval Academy midshipman, was detained at a green card interview after living in the U.S. over 35 years and paying taxes since 1992. She was deported to Mexico despite a congressman's attempt to intervene.San Antonio, TX · Sep 2, 2026 · Newsweek, San Antonio Express-News, Texas Politics +3
Deisy R.O.: Army sergeant's wife with torture protection detained by ICE at immigration appointmentDeisy Fidelina Rivera Ortega, wife of an active-duty Army sergeant, was detained at a Texas USCIS appointment despite having work authorization. She was freed after a month following a senator's intervention.El Paso, TX · May 16, 2026 · KTSM, Good Morning America, CNN +31
Stephanie K.V.: Army reservist's wife held 4 months by ICE after routine check-inStephanie Kenny-Velasquez, 25, a Venezuelan asylum seeker married to an Army Reserve pilot, was held for four months in crowded conditions despite always complying with check-ins. A judge found due-process violations and ordered her freed.Houston, TX · Apr 8, 2026 · ABC News, CNN, Miami Herald +6