The spouse of a U.S. soldier, who was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at a military installation in Louisiana last week, was released from federal detention on Tuesday.
Annie Ramos expressed her feelings in a statement after her release, saying, “All I have ever wanted is to live with dignity in the country I have called home since I was a baby.”
Originally from Honduras, Ramos immigrated to the United States as a young child. According to reports from the New York Times, a deportation order was issued against her family in 2005 after they failed to attend an immigration hearing.
Ramos, now 22 years old, was detained shortly after marrying Matthew Blank, a 23-year-old U.S. Army staff sergeant who is in preparation for deployment.
The couple had previously engaged a lawyer to assist Ramos in her journey toward obtaining citizenship. Although she filed for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) protection in 2020, her application has yet to be processed.
Her detention on April 2 occurred when they visited the military base to enroll Ramos in the benefits available to military spouses. The Department of Homeland Security referenced a final order of removal concerning her case, stating, “This administration is not going to ignore the rule of law,” as reported by the Times.
Ramos emphasized her desire to secure legal status in her statement on Tuesday. “I want to finish my degree, continue my education, and serve my community – just as my husband serves our country with honor,” she declared.
She also expressed her gratitude towards her husband, Matthew, stating, “I am deeply grateful to my husband, who never stopped fighting for me, and to our families and community who surrounded us with love, prayers, and support. Because of them, I am home.”
