On December 3rd, U.S. Army Reserve Black Hawk pilot Chris Busby, 28, and Stephanie Kenny-Velasquez, 25, obtained their marriage certificate in Austin, Texas. Just 48 hours later, Velasquez entered an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in Houston for a scheduled check-in and has not been seen since, according to Busby.
A Newlywed’s Ordeal
Busby, who enlisted in the Army Reserve in 2015, is now grappling with uncertainty and questioning his service as he seeks to free his wife. He stated, “Stephanie is beautiful, she is smart, she’s amazing. If it means sacrificing myself or my career to free her, I will do it.” Velasquez had been pursuing an asylum claim when she was detained, and was denied bond on January 9th.
Velasquez arrived in the U.S. in 2021, fleeing what she described as violence and political instability in Venezuela. In Austin, she secured employment at a car wash and was enrolled in classes to become a licensed real estate agent. The couple met in March, and Busby quickly felt a strong connection with her, describing her as someone who “just wanted to be the best.”
A Shifting Landscape for Asylum Seekers
The detention comes amid a broader context of changing immigration policies. Hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans have sought refuge in the United States in recent years, seeking asylum or Temporary Protected Status (TPS). A move to revoke TPS for Venezuelans, initiated during the Trump administration, has been allowed to proceed while facing legal challenges.
Velasquez has been transferred to the Montgomery Processing Center in Conroe, Texas, approximately three hours from Austin. Her husband reports a visible decline in her well-being, describing her as looking years older and enduring difficult conditions within the detention center. The couple is now pinning their hopes on the military’s Parole in Place program, designed to offer protections to spouses of service members who are not U.S. citizens. However, this program has faced recent restrictions, including the end of a Biden-era expansion.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Stephanie Velasquez doing before her detention?
Stephanie Velasquez was working at a car wash and taking classes to obtain her real estate license in Austin, Texas.
What is Parole in Place?
Parole in Place is a military program intended to provide legal protections for spouses who lack U.S. citizenship, but it has recently faced limitations and program changes.
What is the current status of TPS for Venezuelans?
A move to revoke TPS for many Venezuelans has been allowed to move forward while legal challenges to the action make their way through the courts.
As Busby continues his efforts to secure his wife’s release, he expressed his desperation, stating, “I’m trying my hardest but there is so little I can do. I just want her out of there.”
What role should military service play in immigration considerations for family members?
