In a shocking development at the San Diego immigration office, dozens of foreign-born spouses of US citizens have been detained during their green card interviews since November 12. These detentions, reported widely in the US media, have left many families distraught as they face accusations of violating visa regulations. For many couples, the green card symbolizes a hopeful new chapter in the United States, allowing permanent residence and work rights. However, recent events have cast a grim shadow over that promise.

Among those detained were citizens from countries such as the United Kingdom and Germany, including new mothers with infants only a few months old. Reports describe harrowing scenes where federal agents apprehended foreign spouses immediately after their interviews, often causing emotional distress for the families involved. One husband, Stephen Paul, recounted the heartbreaking moment when his British wife was handcuffed and taken away, forcing him to care for their baby alone amid the turmoil.

The crackdown has particularly shocked military families, with spouses of US veterans among those detained. Samuel Shasteen, a 20-year US Marine veteran, expressed deep feelings of betrayal after his Thailand-born wife was taken into custody. He said, “We do everything that we can to protect and serve our country, and then they betray us by treating us like we’ve never done anything.” This sentiment reflects a broader unease within communities who have served the nation but now feel vulnerable under harsher immigration policies.

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These detentions are understood to be part of a stringent enforcement policy under the Trump administration targeting illegal immigration. The administration has intensified efforts to curb immigration from certain countries, especially in the wake of recent security incidents near the White House. An official statement from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) underscored its approach, stating that all individuals violating immigration laws may face arrest and removal regardless of their nationality or criminal history, emphasizing unlawful presence as grounds for enforcement.

This aggressive stance has sparked a nationwide debate about the balance between immigration control and humanitarian considerations, particularly as many of those detained are spouses trying to legally build their lives in the US. As these families navigate uncertainty, questions remain about the implications for immigration policy and the future of family unity.

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