ICE deports mother of Navy service member after taking her into custody during scheduled green card interview

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement deported the mother of a first-year U.S. Naval Academy midshipman  after detaining her more than a week earlier during what was supposed to be a routine green card interview, according to Texas Democratic Representative Joaquin Castro.

Maria Rocio Rocha, also identified in some reports as Maria Rocha-Martinez, is the mother of David Garcia, a San Antonio native and first-year Naval Academy midshipman who began his service commitment in summer. Castro, who represents Texas’s 20th Congressional District and nominated Garcia to the academy earlier this year, announced the deportation on X on September 3, saying he had personally informed Garcia and his relatives.

What happened at the green card interview

According to Castro’s office, ICE took Rocha into custody while she was attending a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services appointment for her green card interview.

She was later transferred to the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Dilley, Texas, a South Texas facility that held 539 detainees, including adults and children.

Castro wrote on X that Rocha “was in the process of getting a green card and was doing everything the right way,” adding, “Maria should be home, not torn apart from her family and life.”

Newsweek reported that it had reached out to ICE for comment. As of this writing, no detailed public response from ICE had been reported.

He said his office had “worked day and night” to secure her release before ICE deported her. Castro also accused the administration’s broader deportation campaign of “destroying families for profit” and warned, “We cannot allow the president’s mass deportation campaign to destroy more families.”

DHS response and the disputed ‘criminal illegal alien’ label

A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson told Border Report that Rocha was a “criminal illegal alien” who had previously been removed from the United States and illegally reentered the country “at an unknown time and place after being removed.” DHS characterized the reentry as a felony under federal immigration law.

DHS separately confirmed to Border Report that Rocha had been held at the Dilley facility.

Castro disputed that characterization, saying Rocha had been pursuing legal status through the proper channels when she was arrested.

Under federal immigration law, parole in place is a discretionary protection available to certain spouses, parents and children of active-duty U.S. service members. It can allow eligible individuals who entered without lawful admission to remain in the country and seek adjustment of status.

However, a prior removal order can complicate or prevent eligibility. An unlawful reentry after a prior deportation can also trigger reinstatement of the original removal order, which DHS cited in characterizing Rocha’s case.

Castro denied access to Dilley facility

Castro said the week before Rocha’s deportation that he had attempted to visit her at the Dilley facility but was turned away by ICE officials.

A DHS spokesperson said congressional requests to meet with specific detainees must be submitted to ICE at least 48 hours in advance and that Castro’s office had not met the deadline.

The denial came despite Castro touring the facility his ninth inspection of the site. He was accompanied by staff from ICE’s Office of Congressional Relations.

Castro has described Dilley as a “trailer prison” where children and families are held beyond the 20-day limit established under the Flores settlement, a federal consent decree governing the detention of migrant children.

In a recent interview, Castro said ICE “has become very abusive, that has absolutely gone rogue.” He has also told reporters he documented cases of children as young as two months old being held at the facility for months.

A pattern Castro says targets military families

For months, Castro has pointed to what he describes as an escalating pattern of immigration enforcement involving relatives of active-duty U.S. service members.

He has cited the detention of a Navy sailor’s father in Florida, the deportation of an Army sergeant’s wife to Honduras and other cases involving spouses and parents of active-duty personnel.

In an August post, Castro wrote, “The Trump Administration is targeting military families and leaving a dark stain on our nation,” and called for Rocha’s immediate release.

Castro has argued that such enforcement undermines military readiness and morale, highlighting Garcia’s status as a new midshipman beginning his Naval Academy career without his mother.

“She raised a bright young man with good character who is serving our nation,” Castro said. “Maria should be home, not torn apart from her family and life.”

What comes next

With Rocha now in Mexico, Garcia begins his first year at the Naval Academy separated from his mother.

Castro said his office will continue pressing ICE for information about the case and push for Rocha’s reunification with her husband and son. He has also renewed calls for greater congressional access to ICE detention facilities and continued advocating for the closure of the Dilley Immigration Processing Center.