The detention of Deisy Rivera Ortega by ICE on April 14, 2023, during a routine immigration appointment in El Paso, Texas, has raised alarms. The implications are significant—this case underscores the precariousness of immigrant rights even for those who have navigated the system legally.
Rivera Ortega has been in the U.S. since 2016, marrying Jose Serrano in 2022. She was granted legal protection in 2019, which ostensibly prohibits her deportation to El Salvador. Yet, the Department of Homeland Security claims she entered the U.S. illegally and ordered her deported on December 12, 2019, after what they termed “full due process.” This contradiction between her legal status and her current predicament is troubling.
At the time of her detention, Rivera Ortega held an active work permit and was employed at two hotels inside Fort Bliss. Her husband, Jose Serrano—who has served 27 years in the military—expressed his bewilderment: “I don’t really understand why, because she followed the rules of immigration by the T since day one.” His concern extends beyond mere logistics; it touches on fundamental rights. “ICE is out of control right now… taking away rights that we have as soldiers,” he lamented.
The couple’s situation becomes even more complicated with Serrano’s pending Parole in Place application on Rivera Ortega’s behalf. This application remains unresolved, leaving them in limbo. Meanwhile, ICE’s online detainee tracking system confirms that Rivera Ortega is being held at the El Paso processing center—a stark reminder of how quickly circumstances can change.
As if this weren’t enough to contend with, Serrano fears for his wife’s future should she be deported to a third country like Mexico—where she has no ties. “We don’t know nobody in Mexico,” he stated plainly. The emotional toll on Serrano has been palpable; he reports sleeping only two hours per night since her detention—a stark contrast to his previous life before this ordeal.
Legal experts are also weighing in. Matthew Kozik, an attorney involved in Rivera Ortega’s case, filed a habeas petition arguing that her detention is unlawful. He described the situation as absurd—an alarming indictment of a system that seems increasingly indifferent to established legal protections.
Historically, ICE has refrained from arresting immediate relatives of U.S. service members—a practice that has shifted notably under recent administrations. The increased detentions raise questions about policy changes and their impact on families like that of Rivera Ortega and Serrano.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the specific reasons for Rivera Ortega’s detention despite her legal protections. The outcome of her pending Parole in Place application remains uncertain as well—adding another layer of anxiety for both her and Serrano as they navigate this complex landscape.
