LEESVILLE, La. (Louisiana First) — A soldier stationed at Fort Polk in Leesville has served in the Army for more than a decade with plans to serve another. Now, he is asking the United States government to release his wife from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody before she is deported.Staff Sgt. Alexis Jaramillo was recently stationed at Fort Polk after formerly living in Alabama. That’s where he married Maisa Eliaser, who was detained July 8 when the couple and their son traveled for an immigration appointment. “The first thought was, ‘Okay, I’m losing her,'” Jaramillo said.Jaramillo said agents told him ICE plans to deport Eliaser, who came to the United States from Brazil.“There is no plan B here,” Jaramillo said. “She needs to be with me, because we have everything together.” Salvadoran man complained of access to medication before death at NJ immigration jail, family says Jaramillo said Eliaser missed an appointment after applying for asylum, so her file was flagged. He said she sought citizenship, and the couple has already paid thousands of dollars to push that process along.“My wife is not a criminal,” Jaramillo said. “My wife is a wife, and she’s a mother trying to do the right thing to get a better life.”Immigration attorney Aaron Cash said there are multiple legal protections traditionally offered to service members, veterans and their spouses.“We do have some protections available for spouses of active duty members, but ICE or whomever seems to be ignoring that these days,” Cash said.Cash said those protections are not guaranteed, and when someone is detained, it can take political pressure to force a release. That happened with the Clouatre family in Baton Rouge. Louisiana First News was one of many outlets across the country that covered the Marine veteran pushing for his wife to be released, and she was ultimately let out on recognizance.“I would say that it’s more common for them to get out if they do have a spouse who’s in the military, but not every single time,” Cash said.Jaramillo said he hopes the Clouatres’ outcome happens for his family. He said he continues to be proud of his military service despite what’s happened, and he wants the focus to be on his wife. ICE surge expands across US, airports as crackdown on migrants grows “I’m planning to go 20 (years),” Jaramillo said. “Serving is one thing, then whatever is happening with me is another thing.”Jaramillo said he will continue to search for help in returning his wife home.“Please help me out to bring my wife back, so we can get the process done the right way, not with her detained,” Jaramillo said. “My son is missing her. We need her here.”Louisiana First News requested a comment from ICE but did not get a response by the time this story was published.Latest NewsCopyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News.