The wife of an active duty US Coast Guardsman was arrested this week after being flagged during a routine security check at the Naval Air Station in Key West, Florida, as per a report by Associated Press. The woman, who is not a member of the Coast Guard, was taken into custody by Homeland Security Investigations (HIS) agents under an outstanding removal order, as stated by Coast Guard spokesperson Lt. Cmdr. Steve Roth.
Reason behind US Coast Guardsman’s wife arrest
According to the US officials speaking anonymously to the Associated Press, the woman’s work visa had expired in 2017 and she was ordered to be removed from the country several years later. Earlier this year, she married the Coast Guardsman, who has been working at USCGC Mohawk stationed at Key West.
The situation came to notice when the couple tried to secure a pass for the wife to access on-base housing. Her name came out during the standard security check at the visitor control centre because of the outstanding removal order.
Base officials then contacted the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), which probed the case alongside Coast Guard security personnel.
Officers from NCIS, Coast Guard security, and Homeland Security Investigations, after getting authorization from the base commander, went to the couple’s residence and took the woman into custody. As per the latest information, the official indicates that she continues to be detained. The nationality of the woman has not been disclosed by the authorities. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security have not replied to media queries related to her case.
In a statement, the Navy stated, ”fully cooperated with deferral law enforcement authorities on this matter” and highlighted its commitment to maintain strict security protocols at the naval installations.
The USCGC Mohawk, a 270-foot long cutter, has been docked at its home port since March. Before that the ship had completed a 70-day deployment focussed on intercepting illegal drug shipments in the Eastern Pacific Ocean.
(With inputs from Associated Press)