San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones on Wednesday asked the nation’s top defense and homeland security officials to reconsider the practice of detaining spouses and other illegal immigrant family members of service members while they pursue lawful permanent residence. The request follows a recent incident in which an Army spouse was intercepted by ICE agents at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi while attempting to collect a military ID.
According to KSAT, the woman, identified as Giovanna Perez, had applied for the Military Parole in Place (MIL‑PIP) program through her husband, recently enlisted Army soldier Pedro Gutierrez. While she was picking up her ID, ICE officers detained her, prompting the mayor to label the episode “deeply troubling.” The mayor’s letter, reproduced by San Antonio Report, urges Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin to give the “strongest preference” to approving legal status for qualified military families.
Mayor Jones emphasized that San Antonio’s identity as “Military City USA” depends on supporting both service members and the families who stand beside them, regardless of citizenship. She warned that aggressive enforcement could deter enlistments and add unnecessary stress to families already coping with heightened military operations.
The Department of Homeland Security, cited by KSAT, reiterated that MIL‑PIP is not automatic and that “U.S. military service alone does not automatically grant lawful immigration status.” ICE spokespersons echoed that illegal immigrants remain subject to enforcement, even when a family member serves in the armed forces.
Data from USCIS, referenced by San Antonio Report, show that processing times for MIL‑PIP applications have nearly tripled, rising from 4.5 months in fiscal year 2025 to 12.5 months in fiscal year 2026. An Associated Press investigation cited in the same report found that more than 50 parents and spouses of active‑duty service members have been detained during the current administration.
Mayor Jones also highlighted a similar case in August, when a mother of a Navy midshipman was detained at a green‑card appointment and later deported, splitting her family. Both incidents have raised concerns among local veterans groups and elected officials about the impact on recruitment and retention of service members in the San Antonio area.
What’s next: The mayor’s letter has been sent to the Pentagon and DHS, and she expects a response within the next few weeks. Community leaders have pledged to monitor the situation and advocate for policy adjustments that protect military families while upholding immigration law.
Sources: sanantonioreport.org, ksat.com
