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Marine veteran's wife detained by ICE during green card interview in Las Vegas

Feb 13, 2026·Location: Las Vegas, Nevada

Country of origin: Moldova

Marine veteran's wife detained by ICE during green card interview in Las Vegas
Photo via nationaltoday.com

Diana Butnarciuc, a Moldovan immigrant who arrived in the U.S. legally in 2008, was arrested by ICE agents on February 13, 2026, during a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services interview for a permanent resident card in Las Vegas. Butnarciuc, who is married to Marine veteran Patrick Baja and has two children, has no criminal record, works, and pays taxes. Although she faced a 2018 deportation order after her asylum claim was denied, her marriage to Baja made her eligible for a green card. Her attorney stated that Butnarciuc entered the U.S. legally and should be entitled to permanent resident status. She is being held at Henderson Detention Center, and her husband is seeking her release.

Timeline

Feb 13, 2026—Butnarciuc arrested by ICE agents during USCIS green card interview in Las Vegas and held at Henderson Detention Center; her Marine veteran husband Patrick Baja begins seeking her release
2018—Butnarciuc's asylum claim was denied and a removal order was filed
2008—Diana Butnarciuc arrived in the U.S.
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