Overview
- Maisa Lopes Eliaser was allowed to stay on a deportation plane and return to Louisiana on Friday after ICE agents received a mid‑flight call and asked whether she wanted to continue to Brazil or go back to the United States.
- DHS previously told reporters that an immigration judge issued a final order of removal for Eliaser on April 15 for overstaying a 2019 tourist visa, and she was detained during what the family says was an adjustment‑of‑status appointment on July 8.
- The Associated Press’s reporting about dozens of detained military spouses and parents prompted a group of House and Senate Democrats to open an investigation into the removal of service members’ relatives.
- Eliaser’s husband, Army Staff Sgt. Alexis Jaramillo, took leave from his training duties to care for their son while she was detained, and the couple say the detention has caused lasting trauma and fear of future enforcement.
- Advocates from Repatriate Our Patriots helped secure Eliaser’s return and she has a scheduled appointment to try to reopen her case and pursue a green card, but DHS did not immediately comment and the family remains worried about what comes next.