Parents of US Marine detained by ICE during base visit

Federal immigration officials detained the parents of a US Marine when they attempted to visit Camp Pendleton in California, ultimately leading to the father's deportation, Newsweek reported, citing NBC 7 San Diego. Esteban Rios and Luisa Rodriguez, both residents of Oceanside, California, were taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents while trying to visit their pregnant daughter at the military base.

Their daughter is married to another Marine stationed at Camp Pendleton. The couple's son, Marine Steve Rios, said his decision to serve was inspired by his parents' sacrifices. "It was just making them proud, right? I've seen all the struggles they've gone through," Steve told NBC 7 San Diego. "The least I could do, right, and serve this country and try to, you know, put some time in."

According to Steve, his parents immigrated from Mexico more than 30 years ago and worked tirelessly washing cars and cleaning houses from early morning to late evening to provide better opportunities for their children, Newsweek reported.


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The family maintains that neither parent has a criminal record, Newsweek reported. Both have pending green card applications sponsored by Steve Rios and hold work visas while awaiting approval.

Timeline of events

When Esteban Rios and Luisa Rodriguez arrived at the base entrance, ICE agents stopped and detained them both. Their daughter Ashley Rios, who was waiting inside with her husband, learned of the detention through a text from her brother.

"My brother texted me that they got stopped. And as soon as I heard that, I just started, like, bawling," Ashley told NBC 7 San Diego. "He asked what was wrong, and I said that my parents were getting taken."

The couple was initially released after several hours downtown, but fitted with ankle monitors and instructed to report to ICE on Thursday. When they appeared for that check-in Esteban wearing a red shirt and white "Proud dad of a US Marine" hat they were detained again after a lengthy wait.

Steve spoke briefly with his father Friday morning, who reported being held in the basement of a federal building before transfer to the Otay Mesa Detention Center. Esteban Rios was deported later that same day.

"It was scary," Steve said. "It was scary because my whole life, I've kind of just, it's been in the back of my head."

Official response

An ICE spokesperson provided NBC 7 San Diego with a statement explaining the agency's position:

"As part of its routine operations, ICE arrests aliens who commit crimes and other individuals who have violated our nation's immigration laws. All aliens in violation of US immigration law may be subject to arrest, detention and, if found removable by final order, removal from the United States, regardless of nationality."

Ashley Rios expressed particular concern about facing her pregnancy without her mother present.

"It's just hard because you just want to hear, like, your parents voice, that everything will be OK," Ashley said. "I'd always want, like, my mom in that delivery room and everything, so it's just hard to not think about your parents there."

Luisa Rodriguez remains in ICE custody as she awaits removal proceedings.

US President Donald Trump's administration has implemented an aggressive immigration enforcement strategy aimed at deporting millions of migrants without legal status. Newsweek has reported multiple cases involving detention of family members of US veterans and active-duty service members.