{"id":475148,"date":"2026-10-24T04:48:21","date_gmt":"2026-10-24T04:48:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/475148\/"},"modified":"2026-10-24T04:48:21","modified_gmt":"2026-10-24T04:48:21","slug":"mayor-gina-ortiz-jones-calls-on-feds-to-rethink-immigration-approach-related-to-military-families","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/475148\/","title":{"rendered":"Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones calls on feds to rethink immigration approach related to military families"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones speaks to reporters after a recent town hall. Credit: Jacob R. Lopez<\/p>\n

Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones this week asked federal authorities to reconsider White House immigration enforcement practices that have led to U.S. military personnel\u2019s family members being detained and targeted for deportation. <\/p>\n

In an Oct. 21 letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, Jones asked the departments to reconsider immigration enforcement sweeps targeting service members\u2019 relatives.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe fear such actions may dampen interest in military service, while introducing unneeded stress during a time of heightened military operations,\u201d Jones wrote. \u201cAs Military City USA, we recognize and appreciate the service of everyone courageous enough to support and defend the Constitution, and the family members \u2014 irrespective of citizenship \u2014 who make that service possible.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jones\u2019 letter comes amid growing concern about the Trump administration\u2019s aggressive immigration enforcement practices. Federal immigration officials have detained more than 50 relatives of active-duty service members since the start of the president\u2019s second term, according to an Associated Press investigation<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe recent report of a military spouse being apprehended and detained by federal immigration officials in September 2026 while on base at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi is deeply troubling,\u201d Jones added.<\/p>\n

The mayor is specifically referring to the case of 35-year-old mother and military spouse Giovanna Perez, whom ICE officials detained after she tried to pick up ID cards providing access to military healthcare and other benefits. Perez entered the United States without inspection when she was 6 years old, The Atlantic reports<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Military family protections don\u2019t prevent ICE from enforcing the Immigration and Nationality Act<\/a> against spouses who lack lawful immigration status.<\/p>\n

However, certain qualifying undocumented relatives of service members can remain in the United States while they pursue legal residency under Military Parole In Place<\/a>, provided they receive approval from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).<\/p>\n

Although Perez reportedly applied for legal status, The Atlantic\u2019s report doesn\u2019t establish whether USCIS had approved it, potentially leaving her vulnerable to immigration enforcement.<\/p>\n

The issue carries particular significance in San Antonio, home to four major military installations and the Department of Defense\u2019s largest joint base.<\/p>\n

Jones\u2019 letter follows criticism from other leaders over ICE actions targeting military families.<\/p>\n

U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, called for the release of San Antonio resident Maria Rocho, who was detained<\/a> during a green card interview back in August. Rocho is the mother of U.S. Naval Academy midshipman David Garcia.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo that end, I request that you reconsider the practice of apprehending and detaining service members\u2019 spouses and qualified family members as they lawfully seek permanent residence or citizenship and that you give them the strongest preference for approval of that status,\u201d Jones concluded. \u201cThese families are among the very best of our communities, and it is only to our benefit to embrace their commitment to our country.\u201d<\/p>\n

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