On a standard March morning at Houston’s 103rd Quartermaster Company, Sgt. Ayssac Correa commenced his tasks, not foreseeing the distressing news that was about to reach him. A call from his sister-in-law, employed at the same establishment as his wife Shirly, changed the course of his day. She had just arrived at work and witnessed ICE agents detaining his wife in the parking area. ‘Shirly is being hauled away!’ she informed him.
As tension heightens with ongoing immigration demonstrations in Los Angeles, Praesidentia Donald Trump has forwarded a battalion of 4,000 National Guardsmen and a team of 700 Marines on active-duty to intervene. It was a substantial move introducing militaristic enforcement into the longstanding and fervent dispute concerning immigration. Military personnel with undocumented spouses or parents are particularly affected; suddenly, their duties are at odds with their families’ path to citizenship.
Early into his presidency, Trump has marked his administration with a series of executive orders aimed at reconfiguring the immigration policies of the nation. Highlighting the recent influx of illegal border transgressions as an ‘invasion,’ he has frequently raised the argument of undocumented migrants involved in despicable offences against unsuspecting American citizens.
Unperturbed by the tumultuous immigration atmosphere, Correa and his beloved Shirly were confident of their situation. Having tied the knot in 2022, the pair promptly initiated the documentation process that would secure Shirly’s path to citizenship. Sgt. Correa was certain that his military stature would insulate his family from such complications. ‘I felt remorseful for the situation as I’m wed to someone undergoing immigration obstacles. Still, I was convinced our case wouldn’t take this turn,’ he reflected.
This mistaken belief that being in military service provides comprehensive protection against deportation of undocumented family members is widespread, according to immigration law practitioners and advocates. In truth, there is neither a definite pathway to citizenship for these individuals nor assured immunity from being deported.
Data regarding service members marrying non-residents is scarce; however, immigration law experts suggest that such instances are not rare. With the unending debate on illegal immigration, recent surveys by the Pew Research Center reveal that around one-third of Americans believe all undocumented immigrants should be deported. A slightly higher percentage, 51%, advocate selective deportation based on individual circumstances.
Close to unanimous agreement exists around deporting undocumented immigrants with violent crime records. However, the stance shifts dramatically when considering spouses of American citizens, with a mere 5% supporting their deportation. These perspectives demonstrate the complexities and varying opinionated stances within the issue.
Deployment-related separation anxiety or potential conflict zone service isn’t just a concern for the service member, but for their family as well. A Democratic representative from California, who migrated from Mexico during his childhood and later served in the Marine Corps, holds this view firmly. ‘It seems unthinkable to me that someone would voluntarily enlist and risk their life in our military, only to face the possibility of their family being scattered,’ he stated.
The day Guardado was detained by ICE began routinely. Approximately a decade prior, she had been detained while trying to cross the border and was granted a work permit and an order of supervision from ICE, implicating the necessity for regular reporting to immigration authorities, her attorney cites.
‘Families contribute too’ is an exclaimation from Correa as he plans to visit Honduras, aiming to reunite their son, Kylian, with his mother. Not only is he keen on continuous military service, a journey he embarked on in 2018, but he has also formally requested a transfer to Soto Cano Air Base in Honduras, hoping proximity will help bridge the distance.
Correa’s fervent wish is to continue his tenure in the Army, stating, ‘This is my aspiration.’ His belief echoed an advocate who herself had undocumented status until her husband, an army sergeant, lost his life in a 2013 accident. The advocate emphasized, ‘A happy family translates to continuity of the service member in the force. This can be achieved by reassuring them of their belonging and their invaluable contribution to the service.’
Critics argue that targeting military families for deportation can undermine military readiness. They assert that service personnel may be frightened or hesitant to enlist their families for military benefits or assistance programs, thus detracting from mission focus.
In one recent case, a military spouse was left without a pathway to citizenship when her parole expired. She has observed the escalating immigration enforcement measures under the current administration and the crumpling of numerous parole programs. Whether to invest time and money into what she presumes will be a futile effort is her present predicament.