ICE Continues Deportation Of Army Soldier's Wife After Confusion Over Possible Release
ICE will deport the wife of an active-duty Army soldier despite earlier notices she might be released. Deisy Rivera Ortega, detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after authorities cited a 2019 deportation order and a misdemeanor illegal-entry conviction, remains in custody in the United States. Her attorney, Matthew James Kozik, said DHS and ICE told him she will be deported to Mexico and he is preparing a court challenge to block the removal. Officials said she is protected from removal to her native El Salvador, so Mexico is the planned destination.
Family members said they are "heartbroken" after initial notice that ICE would release her was reversed, leaving Rivera Ortega in custody more than a week after her arrest. A CBS Mornings video captured Rivera Ortega telling her husband she would be released, but ICE instead processed her for deportation.
Earlier mainstream reports and social posts said she would be freed, but later reporting clarified ICE's position and the legal bases for removal. CBS News and CBS Mornings drove the shift by updating coverage after DHS and ICE communicated directly with Rivera Ortega's attorney.
đ Key Facts
- Deisy Rivera Ortega will not be released by ICE despite earlier notice she would be freed; she remains in custody more than a week after her initial detention.
- DHS/ICE officials told her attorney she will be deported to Mexico rather than allowed to remain in the United States.
- CBS reporting says Rivera Ortega was told she was going to be released, but ICE instead processed her for deportation.
- DHS cites a 2019 deportation order and a misdemeanor illegal entry conviction as the basis for her arrest and removal.
- Rivera Ortega is legally protected from removal to her native El Salvador, so Mexico is the planned destination for deportation.
- Attorney Matthew James Kozik is preparing a court challenge seeking to block her deportation.
đ° Source Timeline (3)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- CBS video report highlights that the detained wife told her husband she was going to be released, but ICE instead processed her for deportation.
- Confirms she remains in custody more than a week after initial detention and still faces deportation to Mexico.
- Clarifies she is legally protected from removal to her native El Salvador, so Mexico is the planned destination.
- 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.