Topic overview
In brief
- Staff Sergeant Alexis Jaramillo's wife was detained by ICE during a green card interview in Alabama.
- The couple believed they were following legal immigration procedures, but Lopes Eliaser was taken into custody due to a missed biometrics appointment.
- Jaramillo is determined to fight for his wife's release, highlighting the emotional toll on their family.
Summary
In the United States, an active-duty Army soldier, Staff Sergeant Alexis Jaramillo, expressed feelings of betrayal after his wife, Maisa Lopes Eliaser, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during a scheduled green card interview in Montgomery, Alabama, on July 8, 2026. Lopes Eliaser, a 32-year-old Brazilian national with no criminal record, was taken into custody despite the couple's belief that they were following the legal immigration process. Jaramillo, who has served in the Army for 11 years, stated that they were excited about the interview, which they thought was a step towards securing her residency. However, the situation took a drastic turn when immigration officials informed them that Lopes Eliaser had missed a biometrics appointment related to her asylum case, leading to a removal order against her.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) clarified that having a family member in the military does not exempt individuals from immigration laws, and Lopes Eliaser remains in ICE custody pending her removal. This incident is part of a broader trend, as more than 50 parents and spouses of active-duty service members have been detained since the beginning of Trump's second term in January 2025. Jaramillo believes that his wife poses no public safety threat and that their family complied with all necessary legal procedures. He mentioned that Lopes Eliaser's petition for a green card through marriage had been approved prior to her detention, and the case is currently under review by the Board of Immigration Appeals.