ICE reverses decision to deport husband of US soldier after her death in Afghanistan: report

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has reportedly reversed a decision to deport the husband of a U.S. soldier who died in Afghanistan.

According to the Arizona Republic, ICE last week arrested and deported Jose Gonzalez Carranza, 30, to Mexico, leaving behind his 12-year-old daughter, a U.S. citizen.

By Monday, Gonzalez was back in the United States after ICE reversed on its decision to deport him, according to the newspaper. 

{mosads}His attorney, Ezequiel Hernandez, told the Republic that after speaking with the newspaper, he received a call from an ICE officer who said the agency was arranging to allow Gonzalez back into the country. Officials said he would be transported to Phoenix on Monday night and released on his own recognizance.

Gonzalez came to the U.S. illegally as a teenager in 2004, and married Army Pfc. Barbara Vieyra in 2007, according to the paper. Their daughter lives with her grandparents. 

Gonzalez was permitted to remain in the U.S. without the threat of deportation after his wife was killed in Afghanistan at the age of 22. But his case was reopened last year, and after failing to show up to a December court hearing, a federal judge ordered him to be deported. 

Gonzalez’s lawyer said his client, who has no criminal record, didn’t show up to the hearing because ICE sent his notice to the wrong address.

Hernandez also told the newspaper that it was cruel for ICE to deport Gonzalez.

“There are plenty of people you can go after but not a guy whose wife died in Afghanistan,” he said. 

The Hill has reached out to ICE for comment.