At least eight immediate family members of service members are currently in ICE custody. The Associated Press found that many military family members have been detained during immigration appointments while applying for parole-in-place or seeking to adjust their legal status. Parents and spouses of service members have generally been protected from deportation for decades, under both Republican and Democratic administrations. According to a new April 2025 policy, “military service alone does not exempt aliens from the consequences of violating U.S. immigration laws.” “It’s the same thing that happens if you don’t provide healthcare to the troops, or you don’t provide housing to the troops,” she said.