Federal immigration authorities have detained multiple individuals in a new round of enforcement actions, triggering criticism from advocacy groups and families. Among the cases gaining widespread attention is the detention of the wife of a U.S. military veteran over a visa overstay. The move has raised questions about compassion in immigration enforcement and its impact on families, particularly children and caregivers.
Immigration Sweep Sparks Outrage
Immigration authorities recently carried out enforcement actions that led to several detentions, prompting swift backlash from advocacy groups. Critics argue that these arrests are creating unnecessary hardship for families. They point out that children are missing school, caregivers are separated from dependents, and access to legal counsel has become more difficult.
Veteran’s Wife Detained
One of the most widely discussed cases involves the detention of Mireya Alexandra Blancarte Marquez, wife of U.S. military veteran Eddie J. Rosa. She was taken into custody while attempting to renew her travel permit. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Blancarte Marquez had initially entered the U.S. on a six-month visa, overstayed her permitted stay, and allegedly provided false information to border officials.
Family’s Emotional Reaction
Rosa expressed deep frustration over the treatment of his wife, calling it both disrespectful and painful. “My wife has absolutely no criminal record of any kind in this country or Mexico,” he said. He added, “As a fervent believer in our constitutional republic, I felt violated and disrespected.” Rosa further emphasized, “I’ve answered my country’s call and will not hesitate to do so again. But this is my wife. This was not only disrespectful but also a slap in the face to my family.”
Fundraising for Legal Support
Following the detention, Rosa and his relatives described the experience as distressing and said they are working to raise legal funds to support her case. He also voiced concern for Blancarte Marquez’s well-being while she remains in federal custody, underscoring the toll the detention has taken on their family.
CoreCivic’s Response
The facility holding Blancarte Marquez is operated by CoreCivic, a private contractor for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). CoreCivic spokesperson Brian Todd defended the company’s practices, stating: “We take seriously our obligation to adhere to all applicable federal detention standards in all our ICE contracted facilities, including our Eloy Detention Center (EDC).” Todd also emphasized that detainees are provided with three meals daily in accordance with federal guidelines.
Advocates Raise Concerns
Advocacy groups argue that the broader detentions go beyond immigration enforcement, as they deeply disrupt family life. They highlight how children are being pulled from classrooms, caregivers are removed from households, and detainees face mounting barriers in obtaining adequate legal representation. Authorities, however, maintain that the enforcement actions are tied to visa overstays and official findings from Customs and Border Protection (CBP).