A US soldier's wife who was detained by immigration agents at the military base where he is stationed - just days after their wedding - has been released. Annie Ramos, 22, an undocumented immigrant who came to the US as a toddler, was arrested on April 2 and spent five days at a detention centre alongside hundreds facing deportation under the Trump administration's immigration crackdown.
Immigration officials described Ramos as 'an illegal alien from Honduras' who was arrested after attempting to enter a military base. 'I feel awesome. Relieved. Relieved,' Staff Sergeant Matthew Blank told the New York Times after his wife's release. 'These have been the worst days of my life.' 'I can't wait to carry my wife into our home and start our lives together,' Blank told the newspaper, which first reported the story. 'I'm complete and ready to serve our country. And it's her country, too.'
Blank, who enlisted more than five years ago and has served in the Middle East and Europe, is scheduled to begin training later this month ahead of another deployment. Ramos, a biochemistry student, said she was focused now on securing her status, continuing her studies, and building a life with her husband. 'All I have ever wanted is to live with dignity in the country I have called home since I was a baby,' she said in a statement. 'I want to finish my degree, continue my education, and serve my community - just as my husband serves our country with honor.'
The Department of Homeland Security has said that Ramos has 'no legal status to be in this country.'
During an appointment at the base, the couple presented Ramos's birth certificate, Honduran passport, their marriage license and Blank's military identification. Instead of helping them, Ramos was 'ripped away' from Blank. She was placed in handcuffs by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents before being driven away in a military vehicle. The agency stated that 'being in detention is a choice' and recommended the use of the CBP Home App for self-deportation.
As family members frantically tried to contact immigration officials to ensure that Ramos was not deported, Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona communicated with Blank and assured him he would advocate for Ramos' release. A spokeswoman for the senator revealed that Kelly also spoke to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, who was already aware of the case. 'I'm happy Annie is back with her husband and family where she belongs,' Senator Kelly stated. 'They never should have gone through this painful process, but far too many families like theirs are because of this administration.'
Officials indicated that Ramos entered the US illegally in 2005 at the age of 22 months and was subsequently issued a final removal order after not appearing for an immigration hearing. Legal experts commented on the administration's shift from past practices that showed leniency towards families of service members in immigration cases. Critics say the detention undermines morale among military families, while advocates argue that detaining individuals like Ramos weakens military families and contradicts American principles of fairness and justice.
Immigration officials described Ramos as 'an illegal alien from Honduras' who was arrested after attempting to enter a military base. 'I feel awesome. Relieved. Relieved,' Staff Sergeant Matthew Blank told the New York Times after his wife's release. 'These have been the worst days of my life.' 'I can't wait to carry my wife into our home and start our lives together,' Blank told the newspaper, which first reported the story. 'I'm complete and ready to serve our country. And it's her country, too.'
Blank, who enlisted more than five years ago and has served in the Middle East and Europe, is scheduled to begin training later this month ahead of another deployment. Ramos, a biochemistry student, said she was focused now on securing her status, continuing her studies, and building a life with her husband. 'All I have ever wanted is to live with dignity in the country I have called home since I was a baby,' she said in a statement. 'I want to finish my degree, continue my education, and serve my community - just as my husband serves our country with honor.'
The Department of Homeland Security has said that Ramos has 'no legal status to be in this country.'
During an appointment at the base, the couple presented Ramos's birth certificate, Honduran passport, their marriage license and Blank's military identification. Instead of helping them, Ramos was 'ripped away' from Blank. She was placed in handcuffs by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents before being driven away in a military vehicle. The agency stated that 'being in detention is a choice' and recommended the use of the CBP Home App for self-deportation.
As family members frantically tried to contact immigration officials to ensure that Ramos was not deported, Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona communicated with Blank and assured him he would advocate for Ramos' release. A spokeswoman for the senator revealed that Kelly also spoke to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, who was already aware of the case. 'I'm happy Annie is back with her husband and family where she belongs,' Senator Kelly stated. 'They never should have gone through this painful process, but far too many families like theirs are because of this administration.'
Officials indicated that Ramos entered the US illegally in 2005 at the age of 22 months and was subsequently issued a final removal order after not appearing for an immigration hearing. Legal experts commented on the administration's shift from past practices that showed leniency towards families of service members in immigration cases. Critics say the detention undermines morale among military families, while advocates argue that detaining individuals like Ramos weakens military families and contradicts American principles of fairness and justice.
