El Paso, Texas – Sgt. 1st Class Jose Serrano, an active-duty U.S. Army soldier and Afghanistan war veteran, faces uncertainty as he worries about his wife’s potential deportation. His wife, Deisy Rivera Ortega, was recently released after a month in ICE detention. Serrano, who has served in the military for 27 years, is now delaying his retirement to cover legal expenses and prepare for his wife’s immigration case.

Rivera Ortega, originally from El Salvador, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in mid-April during an immigration appointment in El Paso due to a deportation order from 2019 and unauthorized entry over a decade ago. Following a CBS News report and involvement from White House border czar Tom Homan and Senator Tammy Duckworth, Rivera Ortega was released. Upon her release, Rivera Ortega expressed disbelief and gratitude for the chance to be free again.

While Rivera Ortega is free, she wears an ankle monitor and must regularly report to a local agency. Restrictions on her movement remain, including a requirement to stay in El Paso unless given permission by ICE. The Department of Homeland Security has assured that Rivera Ortega will receive due process in her case. Despite the discomfort of the monitor, she values her freedom and the opportunity given to her.

The couple remains aware that Rivera Ortega’s battle for legal status in the U.S. is not yet resolved. In 2019, a judge provided Rivera Ortega with protections under the United Nations Convention Against Torture, protecting her from deportation to El Salvador, while still facing potential deportation to a third country with no personal ties. Being potentially deported to Mexico presents challenges due to military travel restrictions in the region.

Rivera Ortega’s attorney, John B. Moore, seeks to secure her permanent residency through a green card, leveraging her marriage to Serrano. Moore argues for immigration officials to reopen her case or find other methods to grant her a green card, as her recent application under the Parole-in-Place program for military spouses was denied. This program would forgive her illegal entry and facilitate her green card application.

Serrano reflects on the arrest, stating that his wife was attending a required appointment and feels the situation is unjust. Despite the ordeal, Serrano remains committed to his military duties, expressing gratitude for the support from the Army and his superiors. “I love this country,” he said, affirming his dedication to serving in the military. The couple’s battle underscores broader issues faced by military families entangled in immigration challenges.