ICE Reverses Course And Plans To Deport Army Soldier's Wife After Parole Visit
Immigration and Customs Enforcement will deport Deisy Rivera Ortega, the wife of an active-duty Army soldier, after reversing an earlier decision to release her. She had been detained after ICE arrested her on the basis of a 2019 deportation order and a misdemeanor illegal-entry conviction, officials said. ICE initially told the family she would be released, but Department of Homeland Security and ICE officials later informed her lawyer she will instead be sent to Mexico.
Her attorney, Matthew James Kozik, said he is preparing a court challenge to block the deportation. Family members and posts on CBS News's Facebook page said they were "heartbroken" after learning she would not be released.
Earlier coverage, including a CBS News post titled "Wife of Army soldier to be released after being arrested by ICE," said officials would free her. Newer reporting from CBS News clarified DHS relied on the 2019 removal order and the misdemeanor entry conviction, and that the agency now plans removal instead of release. The switch highlights how initial statements to families can change quickly once immigration records are rechecked, prompting legal fights over fast-moving deportation decisions.
đ Key Facts
- Deisy Rivera Ortega, the wife of a U.S. Army soldier, had been told after a parole visit that she would be released, but ICE has reversed course and will not release her from custody.
- DHS/ICE officials informed her attorney that she will be deported to Mexico rather than allowed to remain in the United States.
- Immigration officials say the arrest and planned removal are based on a 2019 deportation order and a misdemeanor illegal entry conviction.
- Her family says they "are heartbroken" by ICE's decision.
- Attorney Matthew James Kozik is preparing a court challenge seeking to block her deportation.
đ° Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Family and attorney now say ICE will not release Deisy Rivera Ortega from custody despite earlier notice she would be freed.
- DHS/ICE officials told her attorney she will be deported to Mexico instead of allowed to remain in the United States.
- Attorney Matthew James Kozik is preparing a court challenge seeking to block her deportation.
- Article clarifies that DHS cites a 2019 deportation order and a misdemeanor illegal entry conviction as the basis for the arrest and removal.