US ICE detains wife of military veteran, latest in series of spousal arrests
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained the Mexican-born wife of an Army veteran at the couple's Texas home, the sixth such arrest involving a military spouse this month. Immigration advocates said the case shows Trump administration deportation operations now reach into service-member families. Her lawyer said she had filed a green-card application six years ago.
Maria Hernandez, 39, was detained at her El Paso home on Monday morning by ICE officers. Mexican-born, she has been married for 12 years to retired US Army Sergeant Charles Hernandez. The family's lawyer said she had filed a green-card application six years ago and was waiting for a response.
The family has petitioned a federal judge to free Hernandez, who has four children, three of whom are US citizens. Immigration advocacy groups said this is the sixth arrest this month of a military spouse in similar circumstances. A White House spokesperson said anyone violating US law "will be treated the same way".
Texas Democratic Senator Mark Veasey has requested a hearing on ICE coordination with the Pentagon. Hernandez is being held at a Houston detention centre, with a removal hearing scheduled for 24 June.
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