Key facts
- Over 50 parents and spouses of active-duty U.S. service members have been detained since President Donald Trump took office.
- At least six individuals have been deported, and eight remain in federal immigration custody.
- This policy represents a departure from decades of bipartisan consensus that protected military families from deportation.
- The detentions have led to service members experiencing emotional distress, delayed deployments, and difficulties caring for children.
- The Department of Homeland Security maintains that military service does not grant immunity from immigration law consequences.
President Donald Trump's administration has detained more than 50 parents and spouses of active-duty U.S. service members as part of a broader immigration crackdown, an Associated Press investigation revealed. This policy marks a significant reversal of decades of bipartisan consensus that had previously shielded military families from deportation.
At least six individuals have been deported, and eight immediate family members of U.S. service members remain in federal immigration custody. The AP's findings, based on analysis of federal court records and verification with families and attorneys, indicate the actual number of detentions is likely higher, as the government does not systematically track these cases.
Experts warn that this policy shift could undermine military preparedness, affecting service members' focus, potentially delaying deployments, and forcing some to take leave to manage family care. Service members have described the emotional toll and helplessness of having loved ones detained, with some facing deportation to their home countries.
The Department of Homeland Security acknowledged that military service alone does not grant lawful immigration status or exempt individuals from the consequences of violating U.S. immigration laws. The agency noted that some individuals detained had prior removal orders or criminal convictions. The Pentagon declined to comment on the AP's findings.