NewsWSVN 7 News MiamiAugust 5, 2026Miami-Dade
Trump administration detains military families under new immigration enforcement policy
The federal government has begun detaining parents and spouses of active-duty U.S. service members as part of a policy shift implemented in April 2025. This change removes the long-standing practice of shielding military families from deportation, resulting in the detention of at least 50 family members and the deportation of at least six since the start of the second Trump term.
Read the full story at WSVN 7 News MiamiWhy It Matters
The policy change directly impacts military readiness and family stability, as service members are increasingly forced to take leave or halt deployments to care for children after their spouses or parents are detained or deported.
Key Facts
- At least 50 parents and spouses of active-duty service members have been detained since the start of the second Trump term.
- At least six family members of service members have been deported.
- At least eight immediate family members of U.S. service members remain in federal immigration custody.
- A policy implemented in April 2025 explicitly states that military service does not exempt individuals from immigration law consequences.
- Between Jan. 20, 2025, and Jan. 26, 2026, authorities detained 125 military veterans and arrested more than 150 immediate family members of veterans.
- The government does not maintain a centralized tracking system for the detention of military family members.
- Some service members have been forced to take administrative leave or halt deployments to care for children following the detention of a spouse.
- DHS reports that some detained individuals had prior removal orders or criminal convictions, including drunk driving or drug-related offenses.
Who's Mentioned
personHedar Leonel Turcios Juarez“Army Sergeant whose wife was detained”personAlexis Jaramillo“Army Staff Sergeant whose wife was detained”organizationDepartment of Homeland Security“Federal agency overseeing immigration enforcement”personMaria Elvira Salazar“Florida Republican Representative”personWendy Gbeve“Air Force Tech. Sergeant whose father was deported”organizationImmigration and Customs Enforcement“Federal agency responsible for detentions”personMarkwayne Mullin“Homeland Security Secretary”personDonald Trump“President of the United States”