Army sergeant's wife detained at green card interview, family separated
Jul 8, 2026 · Montgomery, AL, Brazil

Maisa Lopes Eliaser, a 32-year-old Brazilian national with no criminal record, was detained by ICE on July 8, 2026, during a scheduled green card adjustment-of-status interview in Montgomery, Alabama. She is married to Staff Sergeant Alexis Jaramillo, an active-duty Army soldier of 11 years. Lopes Eliaser legally entered the U.S. on June 18, 2019, with authorization to remain until December 2019, but overstayed her visa. She had previously applied for asylum and later sought permanent residency through marriage; her green card petition had been approved before her detention. Immigration officials indicated she missed a biometrics appointment related to her asylum case, resulting in a removal order from an immigration judge on April 15, 2026. She is currently held at the South Louisiana ICE Processing Center in Basile, Louisiana. Jaramillo stated he feels "betrayed" by the detention, believing the family was completing the legal process for her permanent residency. The detention has caused panic attacks for Jaramillo and emotional distress for their young stepson. Her case is now before the Board of Immigration Appeals.
Timeline
Sources
More incidents in Alabama
- Man detained for a year as material witness stays jailed despite release order, later held by ICEJul 31, 2026 · Montgomery, AL
- Alabama honor student detained by ICE months after high school graduationJul 29, 2026 · Littleville, AL
- More than 30 workers detained in HSI raid at Scholar Craft manufacturing plantsJun 30, 2026 · Birmingham, AL
- 5-year-old left alone in parked car after ICE detained father on Alabama highwayJun 17, 2026 · Mobile, AL
- U.S. citizen detained three times by ICE despite valid ID, files federal lawsuitMay 27, 2026 · Mobile, AL
- Mother deported to Honduras; toddler son dies in caregiver's custody while ICE denies reunificationMay 16, 2026 · Bay Minette, AL