Military families—once protected and prioritized—are now increasingly vulnerable under today’s immigration enforcement policies. Even those married to active-duty service members or Veterans are being swept into detention centers, often under false pretenses.
If you or your spouse is in the process of applying for a green card, this article is for you.
One Family’s Devastating Experience
Marine Corps Veteran Adrian Clouatre and his wife, Paola, thought they were doing everything right.
After marrying in 2024, Paola applied for her green card, a process countless military spouses go through every year.
But instead of gaining lawful status, she was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at what was supposed to be a routine immigration meeting.
Her deportation was based on a 2018 order issued after her mother missed an asylum hearing—when Paola was still a minor. Paola had been estranged from her mother for years and had no way of knowing any information regarding an order issued to her mother, 7 years ago.
ICE knew she was married to a U.S. Veteran. They knew she had two U.S.-citizen children, including a breastfeeding infant. They detained her anyway.
Now, Adrian is raising his children alone and traveling hours to visit his wife in detention. Their story is tragically becoming more common.
The Truth Behind "Fixing Your Status"
Military families are being told that visiting an ICE office, an immigration attorney, or U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to “straighten things out” is the path to resolution.
However, dozens of spouses across the country have been detained on the spot after voluntarily showing up to interviews or check-ins intended to resolve their status.
ICE officers have used outdated deportation orders, minor application errors, and missing paperwork as justification for immediate detention—even when individuals were in the process of gaining legal status.
What Military Families Should Be Aware Of
Green Card Interviews Are No Longer Safe
Even if you’ve been told to attend a marriage-based green card interview, ICE may be waiting.
Consult a trusted immigration attorney before taking this step—especially if there’s a prior deportation order in your or your spouse’s record.
Deferred Action Is Disappearing
Military families once qualified for special programs like Parole in Place (PIP) and deferred action, which offered protection from deportation while applying for legal status.
These protections are no longer guaranteed, and in some cases, requests for them are triggering detention instead.
Marriage to a Service Member Does Not Prevent Detention or Deportation
There is no longer deference for spouses of active-duty service members or Veterans.
Simply being married to someone who served or is serving does not guarantee safety or legal status.
Don’t Assume Your Case Is “Low Risk”
Even minor administrative errors, such as a missed hearing or outdated address on file, can be used to justify detention—even if they occurred years ago, even if you were a minor at the time.
What You CAN Do to Protect Your Family
Get an Immigration Lawyer
You need an attorney experienced with military families and immigration. Many legal aid organizations offer free or low-cost services to military families.
Do NOT Go to ICE Alone
If you’ve been instructed to report to ICE or attend an interview, don't go without legal counsel. In many recent cases, spouses were detained on-site and taken into custody immediately.
Request FOIA Records Immediately
File a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request with USCIS and ICE to see if there are any existing deportation orders, missed notices, or flags on file.
Talk to Your Command Chain
Let your command or family readiness officer know what’s going on. Some military installations have legal support or can help connect you with military advocacy organizations.
Educate Your Community
Share information with fellow service members. Many are unaware their families could be at risk.
If you or someone you know is a military spouse facing immigration issues, contact:
- American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)
- Immigration Advocates Network
- Military Family Advisory Network
- National Immigration Legal Services Directory
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