Marine Veteran Seeks Release of Wife Detained by ICE

Diana Butnarciuc was arrested during a green card interview despite having no criminal record.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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A United States Marine war veteran is pleading for assistance after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested his wife, Diana Butnarciuc, during an interview for a permanent resident card. Butnarciuc, who left Moldova in 2008 and has two children, works, and pays taxes, currently sits in the Henderson Detention Center due to a deportation order filed in 2018, despite having no criminal record.

Why it matters

This case highlights the challenges faced by immigrant families, even those with military service connections, as they navigate the complex U.S. immigration system. It raises questions about the enforcement priorities and policies of ICE, particularly in cases where individuals have no criminal history and are actively seeking legal status.

The details

Butnarciuc and her husband, Patrick Baja, were in a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services interview in Las Vegas on Wednesday that they had waited five years for, when ICE agents entered the room and arrested her. Despite Butnarciuc arriving in the U.S. in 2008 and claiming political asylum, an immigration judge declined her asylum claim in 2018 and filed a removal order. However, she then married Baja, which changed her immigration status. Baja, a Marine veteran, says he followed all the necessary procedures, including filing an 'I-130 petition for an alien relative' in 2020, but is now seeking help to get his wife released from ICE detention.

  • Butnarciuc arrived in the U.S. in 2008.
  • An immigration judge declined Butnarciuc's asylum claim and filed a removal order in 2018.
  • Baja filed an 'I-130 petition for an alien relative' in 2020.
  • Butnarciuc and Baja were in a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services interview in Las Vegas on Wednesday.

The players

Diana Butnarciuc

Butnarciuc is Baja's wife, who left Moldova in 2008 for a better life in the U.S. She has two children, works, and pays her taxes, but currently sits in the Henderson Detention Center due to a deportation order filed in 2018.

Patrick Baja

Baja is a United States Marine war veteran who is pleading for assistance to get his wife, Diana Butnarciuc, released from ICE detention.

Darren Heyman

Heyman is Butnarciuc's immigration attorney, who says his client has no criminal record and doesn't understand why ICE arrested her.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

ICE is the federal law enforcement agency that arrested Butnarciuc during her green card interview.

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What they’re saying

“I served the country, and you know, I would think that the country would serve us in this instance. She's never been in jail or anything like that, so again this is a brand new thing for her.”

— Patrick Baja, Marine Veteran (newsnationnow.com)

“She would otherwise be entitled to a green card in this country. She entered legally. She has zero criminal record. We just want her to be given the same process that's been given to lots of people before.”

— Darren Heyman, Immigration Attorney (newsnationnow.com)

“Unfortunately, what was typical is no longer typical.”

— Darren Heyman, Immigration Attorney (newsnationnow.com)

What’s next

Heyman said he is hoping to bond Butnarciuc out of the Henderson Detention Center, so they can finish the process of obtaining a green card. Once she has a green card, Heyman will then petition a judge to void the deportation order.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges faced by immigrant families, even those with military service connections, as they navigate the complex U.S. immigration system. It raises questions about the enforcement priorities and policies of ICE, particularly in cases where individuals have no criminal history and are actively seeking legal status.