U.S. Soldier Faces Wife’s Deportation Fears After Her Release

El Paso, Texas – Sgt. 1st Class Jose Serrano, a U.S. Army soldier and Afghanistan war veteran, remains concerned that his wife might be deported. This could jeopardize his longstanding military career. Serrano, having served in Afghanistan three times, now plans to delay his retirement after 27 years of service to cover legal fees for his wife’s immigration case.

Serrano’s wife, Deisy Rivera Ortega, was initially detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) due to a deportation order from 2019 and her illegal entry into the U.S. more than a decade ago. After a month in detention, she has been released, following CBS News coverage and intervention from White House officials and Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth.

Upon her release, Rivera Ortega expressed immense relief. She remains under ICE monitoring via an ankle bracelet and cannot leave El Paso without permission. Despite these restrictions, she is grateful to be back with her family. ‘What’s important is that I’m here, thanks to God.’ she stated.

The couple understands that the legal battle for Rivera Ortega’s permanent stay in the U.S. is ongoing. In 2019, an immigration judge granted her protection under the United Nations Convention Against Torture, preventing her deportation to El Salvador. However, she can still be deported to a third country. She was informed of a potential deportation to Mexico, where she has no connections, which would be problematic due to travel restrictions for military members.

John B. Moore, Rivera Ortega’s attorney, is seeking avenues for her permanent residency, potentially through a green card secured by her marriage to Serrano, a U.S. citizen from Puerto Rico. Moore believes the government should reopen her case and facilitate a path to legal residency. A recent denial of Parole-in-Place, a special program for military families, adds complexity to her case.

Serrano is puzzled by his wife’s arrest upon attending her immigration appointment, and he stands by the military, stating, ‘I love this country, and I love my job.’ Despite his wife’s legal challenges, he maintains commitment to his service.