Congressional Democrats probe deportation of military families

More than 60 Congressional Democrats have launched an investigation into the Trump administration's efforts to deport military service members and their families. The probe follows an Associated Press report finding that more than 50 active-duty troops' spouses and parents have been detained by immigration authorities.

In a letter sent to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Department of Defense, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, lawmakers are investigating whether there is coordination between the Pentagon and DHS regarding these deportations. The lawmakers expressed concern that these actions "imperil military readiness, weaken service members’ morale, and betray America’s promises to the people who put their lives on the line for our nation."

The DHS stated that "U. S. military service alone does not automatically grant lawful immigration status, or exempt aliens from the consequences of violating U. S. immigration laws." The investigation is being led by Senators Elizabeth Warren, Richard Blumenthal, and Tammy Duckworth, alongside several House Democrats, seeking to determine if the administration has rolled back previous protections that shielded military families from immigration enforcement.