San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones is urging federal leaders to rethink their approach of enforcing immigration action toward military families.
Jones shared a letter sent to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin on Wednesday, asking them to reconsider “detaining service members’ spouses and qualified family members as they lawfully seek permanent residence or citizenship.”
She also mentioned to give those family members the “strongest preference” for approving their legal status.
“These families are among the very best of our communities, and it is only to our benefit to embrace their commitment to our country,” Jones said.
Her letter comes after a woman married to a recently enlisted Army serviceman was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi.
The Atlantic reported Giovanna Perez was approached by ICE last month as she went to pick up her military ID at the base. Her husband was in Georgia at the time for basic training.
Perez told the magazine her husband submitted her application for a parole in place, which is a immigration benefit for military members to help family gain temporary permission to be in the U.S. while they pursue permanent legal status.
Perez was detained by immigration officials, and Jones called the situation “deeply troubling.”
DHS said the parole in place program does not immediately go into affect after signing up.
“Programs like Military Parole in Place (MIL-PIP) are NOT automatic—ICE will not ignore the immigration laws of our country,” spokesperson for DHS said in a email to KSAT.
The mayor said the enforcement could discourage military service and add stress for service members and their families.
“As Military City USA, we recognize and appreciate the service of everyone courageous enough to support and defend the Constitution, and the family members — irrespective of citizenship — who make that service possible,” Jones wrote in the letter to DHS and the Pentagon.
Both DHS and ICE said they appreciate all who served their country. However, DHS said military service doesn’t immediately grant lawful status in the United States.
Read the departments full statement below:
“DHS and ICE value the contributions of all those who have served in the U.S. military. U.S. military service alone does not automatically grant lawful immigration status, or exempt aliens from the consequences of violating U.S. immigration laws.
Having a family member in the military is not a free pass to violate our nation’s laws. Military service by an immediate relative does not automatically grant parole, lawful status, or immunity from immigration enforcement; if you are in the United States illegally, you are subject to enforcement. Programs like Military Parole in Place (MIL-PIP) are NOT automatic—ICE will not ignore the immigration laws of our country."
Department of Homeland Security
Noncitizens who served in U.S. armed forces for at least one year are eligible to apply for naturalization, according to DHS. More information can be found on the department’s website.
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