US Soldier's Wife Released from ICE Detention After Wedding

Wed Apr 08 2026 13:48:28 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Annie Ramos, a 22-year-old biochemistry student, was detained by ICE shortly after her marriage to Staff Sergeant Matthew Blank. Her release comes amid rising concerns over immigration enforcement and its impact on military families.

Annie Ramos, newly married to US Army Staff Sergeant Matthew Blank, was released after being detained by ICE for five days. The couple was at a military base to secure Ramos's ID and benefits when she was taken. Blank expressed relief over her release while advocates criticize the detention's impact on military morale.

A US soldier's wife who was detained by immigration agents at the military base where he is stationed - just days after their wedding - has been released.

Annie Ramos, 22, an undocumented immigrant who came to the US as a toddler, was arrested on 2 April and spent five days at a detention centre alongside hundreds facing deportation under the Trump administration's immigration crackdown.

Immigration officials described Ramos as an illegal alien from Honduras who was arrested after attempting to enter a military base.

I feel awesome. Relieved. Relieved, Staff Sergeant Matthew Blank told the New York Times after his wife's release. These have been the worst days of my life.

I can't wait to carry my wife into our home and start our lives together, Blank shared. I'm complete and ready to serve our country. And it's her country, too. Ramos, a biochemistry student, is now focused on securing her status, continuing her studies, and building a life with her husband.

The couple had traveled from Houston to the Louisiana base to obtain a military ID for Ramos and activate her military spouse benefits, with plans to move her onto the base over Easter weekend. Instead, Blank said, she was ripped away from him last week.

Ramos was placed in handcuffs by ICE agents during the appointment at the base when the couple presented her birth certificate, Honduran passport, their marriage license, and Blank's military identification.

During her time of detention, family members frantically tried to contact immigration officials to ensure that Ramos was not deported. Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona advocated for her release, expressing that I'm happy Annie is back with her husband and family where she belongs.

Legal experts have expressed concern that the administration has moved away from the past practice of leniency for military families in immigration cases, with advocates fearing that such actions could undermine the morale of service members.