Mayor Asks DOD, DHS Reconsider Immigration Action for Military Spouses

Published on October 21, 2026

SAN ANTONIO (October 21, 2026) – Today, Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin, requesting that their departments reconsider their immigration enforcement activities toward military spouses and service members’ qualified family members as they legally proceed through the immigration process.

“The recent report of a military spouse being apprehended and detained by federal immigration officials in September 2026 while on base at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi is deeply troubling,” wrote the Mayor.

According to reporting, the military spouse was seeking to obtain an identification card needed to access healthcare and other family benefits while her soldier spouse was away.

The Mayor continued, “We fear such actions may dampen interest in military service, while introducing unneeded stress during a time of heightened military operations. As Military City USA, we recognize and appreciate the service of everyone courageous enough to support and defend the Constitution, and the family members—irrespective of citizenship—who make that service possible.”

The Mayor concluded, “To that end, I request that you reconsider the practice of apprehending and detaining service members’ spouses and qualified family members as they lawfully seek permanent residence or citizenship and that you give them the strongest preference for approval of that status. These families are among the very best of our communities, and it is only to our benefit to embrace their commitment to our country.”