Senator Mark Kelly Secures Release of Army Spouse Mid-Deportation

Federal immigration officers released Maisa Lopes Eliaser, the wife of a U.S. Army staff sergeant, and returned her to Louisiana after removing her from a deportation flight to Brazil on Wednesday. Eliaser had been in federal custody since July 8 following a final removal order issued in April for overstaying a 2019 tourist visa.

The reversal occurred mid-flight after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers received a phone call. Her release followed reporting by The Associated Press and direct intervention by Senator Mark Kelly, who contacted the ICE field office to secure her return. Eliaser now intends to reopen her legal case and advance her application for a green card.

This incident occurs as the Donald Trump administration pursues mass deportations and rolls back protections for military families. In response, Congressional Democrats have launched an investigation into the detention of service members and their spouses. Other military spouses, including Annie Ramos and Deisy Rivera Ortega, have also been released following similar congressional intervention or public outcry. Advocacy groups like Repatriate Our Patriots continue to push for the release of other military families currently facing detention.