Soldier's wife released after immigration agents detained her on base
Staff Sgt. Matthew Blank said he brought his wife, Annie Ramos, 22, to his base so that she could begin the process to receive military benefits and take steps toward a green card.
Updated on: April 7, 2026 / 5:33 PM EDT / CBS/AP
The wife of a U.S. Army staff sergeant has been released from immigration detention as removal proceedings move forward after she was detained just days after their wedding while on a Louisiana military base, where the couple was planning to live together.
Annie Ramos, a 22-year-old college student, was released Tuesday, according to the Department of Homeland Security and TheDream.US, a nonprofit that provides scholarships to undocumented immigrants.
"I am deeply grateful to my husband, Matthew, who never stopped fighting for me, and to our families and community who surrounded us with love, prayers, and support. Because of them, I am home," Ramos said in a statement released by the nonprofit. "All I have ever wanted is to live with dignity in the country I have called home since I was a baby. I want to finish my degree, continue my education, and serve my community — just as my husband serves our country with honor."
In a statement to CBS News on Tuesday, DHS said Ramos was released on order of supervision with a GPS monitor while she undergoes further removal proceedings.
The effort to remove Ramos, who was born in Honduras, has drawn backlash from military family advocates, who called the detention demoralizing in a time of war and warned that deporting spouses could undermine recruitment.