El Paso, Texas – A U.S. Army soldier currently on active duty and a veteran of the Afghanistan conflict expressed his ongoing concerns regarding the potential deportation of his recently released wife, which could jeopardize his lengthy military career. Sergeant 1st Class Jose Serrano, who has completed three deployments to Afghanistan, is now considering postponing his retirement plans after 27 years of service in order to cover the legal expenses related to his wife’s immigration situation and to prepare for the possibility of her deportation.
“My wife is at risk of being deported at any time,” Serrano stated during an exclusive interview with CBS News, where he was accompanied by his wife, Deisy Rivera Ortega.
Rivera Ortega, originally from El Salvador, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in mid-April while attending an immigration appointment in El Paso. According to the Department of Homeland Security, her arrest was linked to a deportation order issued in 2019 and her unauthorized entry into the United States over ten years ago.
After spending a month in detention, Rivera Ortega was released last week. Her release followed CBS News’ coverage of her case, which attracted the attention of Tom Homan, the White House border czar, who promised to investigate the situation. Additionally, Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth, a combat veteran and Democrat, personally contacted DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin to advocate for Rivera Ortega’s release.
“I felt incredibly happy,” Rivera Ortega shared in Spanish with CBS News, expressing disbelief at her release.
Serrano described his reaction upon learning of his wife’s freedom, stating that his heart raced with excitement.
Prior to her release, Rivera Ortega was fitted with an ankle monitor for tracking her movements and was instructed to regularly check in at a local office. She is also subject to home visits by ICE agents and requires permission to leave El Paso. In a statement, DHS assured that Rivera Ortega would be granted “full due process.”
Although Rivera Ortega found the ankle monitor uncomfortable, she emphasized that it was a small price to pay for her freedom. “What matters is that I’m here, thanks to God for this opportunity,” she remarked. “We have to adhere to the regulations.”
Serrano agreed with his wife’s perspective, stating, “The most important thing is that my wife is home.”
Despite their relief, the couple recognizes that the struggle for Rivera Ortega’s lawful and permanent residency in the United States is ongoing.
In 2019, an immigration judge granted Rivera Ortega legal protection under the United Nations Convention Against Torture, which prevents her from being sent back to El Salvador. However, this protection exists alongside a deportation order, which allows for the possibility of her deportation to a third country.
Serrano noted that while in ICE custody, Rivera Ortega was informed of a potential deportation to Mexico, a country where she has no connections. He stressed that such a deportation would be particularly problematic, as military personnel face travel restrictions to certain regions of Mexico. “She has no relatives in Mexico, and being in the military, you’re prohibited from going to Juarez,” he explained, referring to the Mexican city adjacent to El Paso.
John B. Moore, the attorney managing Rivera Ortega’s case, is looking into various legal pathways for her to obtain permanent residency through a green card or other options stemming from her marriage to Serrano, a U.S. citizen born in Puerto Rico. Moore urged the government to reopen Rivera Ortega’s immigration court case and invalidate her deportation order, or to leverage its discretion in ways that would facilitate her green card application.
Moore also pointed out that Rivera Ortega’s request for deportation protections under a special immigration program designed for military spouses and parents, known as Parole-in-Place, was recently denied. This provision would have exempted her from penalties for her illegal entry and allowed her to pursue a green card based on her marriage to Serrano.
“The reality is that their options are not limited. They have a choice,” Moore stated, addressing U.S. immigration officials.
Serrano expressed confusion over why his wife was arrested while she was fulfilling her obligation to attend the Parole-in-Place appointment. “That is what hurts the most,” he remarked.
When asked whether his wife’s ordeal has led him to reconsider his dedication to the U.S. military, Serrano firmly replied, “Not at all.” He acknowledged that the Army and his superiors had been incredibly supportive throughout his wife’s detention.
“I have a deep love for this country,” he affirmed. “And I am proud of my job.”
