On April 14, 2023, Deisy Rivera Ortega was detained by ICE during an immigration appointment in El Paso, Texas. This event has sent shockwaves through her family and community, particularly affecting her husband, Jose Serrano, a military veteran with 27 years of service.
Rivera Ortega has been living in the U.S. since 2016 and married Serrano in 2022. She was granted legal protection in 2019, which should have prohibited her deportation to El Salvador. However, ICE asserts that she entered the country illegally and had been ordered deported on December 12, 2019, after what they claim was “full due process.” This contradiction has left many questioning the current state of immigration enforcement.
At the time of her detention, Rivera Ortega was actively working at two hotels inside Fort Bliss. Her husband expressed disbelief at the situation: “I don’t really understand why, because she followed the rules of immigration by the T since day one.” His words reflect a deep frustration shared by many families facing similar circumstances.
Adding to their struggles, Serrano submitted a Parole in Place application on behalf of his wife—a request that remains pending. In the meantime, he is grappling with sleepless nights; he reports sleeping only two hours per night since her detention. His mental health has deteriorated as well—Serrano has previously battled traumatic brain injury, PTSD, and depression. The stress of this situation is exacerbating his conditions.
ICE’s online detainee tracking system indicates that Rivera Ortega is being held at the El Paso processing center. Serrano fears for his wife’s future: if deported to Mexico—where she has no ties—he may not be able to see her without jeopardizing his military career. “We don’t know nobody in Mexico,” he lamented, underscoring the isolation they would face if forced apart.
Matthew Kozik, an attorney representing Rivera Ortega, argues that her detention is unlawful and has filed a habeas petition to challenge it. He stated simply but powerfully: “What is going on is absurd.” Yet, details remain unconfirmed regarding the exact reasons for Rivera Ortega’s detention despite her legal protections.
The Department of Homeland Security’s recent actions appear at odds with historical norms; traditionally, ICE refrained from arresting immediate relatives of U.S. service members. However, detentions have increased under recent administrations—a trend that leaves many families like Serrano’s feeling vulnerable and uncertain about their futures.
The outcome of Rivera Ortega’s pending Parole in Place application remains uncertain as well. For now, her family waits anxiously for answers amid a backdrop of fear and confusion over immigration policies that seem to change without warning.
