ICE arrests newlywed wife of Army soldier at military base

Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents made headlines recently when they arrested Annie Ramos, the wife of U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Matthew Blank, at the military base where he is stationed. The arrest took place just days after the couple got married, causing shock and distress for the family.

Sergeant Blank and Ramos were at Fort Polk, Louisiana, with their relatives to get Ramos registered as a military spouse and settled in. However, their plans were disrupted when ICE agents arrived and detained Ramos. Blank expressed his disbelief at the situation, stating that he never imagined that trying to do the right thing for his wife would lead to her being taken away from him.

Ramos, who was born in Honduras, had an order of removal issued when she was just 20 months old. Despite being eligible for a Green Card as an undocumented immigrant and potentially qualifying for other forms of relief as a military spouse, Ramos found herself facing deportation to a country she has never known.

Annie Ramos had applied for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) but was caught in a legal battle that halted the program for new applicants. She had also received a scholarship from TheDream.US to help with her education. Gaby Pacheco, president and CEO of TheDream.US, called for Ramos’s release, highlighting the impact on her family and the military community.

The Department of Homeland Security defended Ramos’s arrest, stating that she had no legal status in the country and had a final order of removal issued in 2005 after crossing the southern border as a child. Despite the legalities, the family and supporters continue to advocate for Ramos’s release and reunion with her husband.

Annie Ramos is currently in detention at an ICE facility in Basile, Louisiana, as her loved ones rally for her freedom. Sergeant Blank remains steadfast in his support for his wife, vowing to stand by her side through the challenges they face. The case has sparked conversation about immigration policies, military families, and the values of compassion and unity in the nation.