ICE detains Las Vegas Marine veteran’s wife, deports her to Moldova

A Las Vegas Marine veteran’s wife has been deported to Moldova after she was detained by ICE during a green card interview.

The husband disclosed this in a report by Daily Mail.

According to the report, Diana Butnarciuc was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during the routine interview on February 11 and sent back to her home country less than two months later, leaving behind two confused and distraught children.

‘We went in at 8.20am, spoke to the officer for about five minutes, and that’s when ICE entered the office,’ her husband Patrick Baja, 44, told KTNV.

‘I’m a Marine Corps veteran. She’s my everything, my rock, and you’d think they would help us out a little in that situation.’

Butnarciuc entered the US in 2008 and claimed political asylum, however, that claim was denied in 2017 and a removal order was issued, Baja told KLAS.

The couple filed an I-130 form in 2020, which initiates the process of getting a green card based on marriage.

Their immigration lawyer, Darren Heyman, told the local news station they waited five years for an interview, and when they finally got their chance, Butnarciuc was detained.

‘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,’ Heyman said.

Las Vegas Marine veteran Patrick Baja said his wife, Diana Butnarciuc, was detained by ICE at her green card interview and deported to Moldova

Las Vegas Marine veteran Patrick Baja said his wife, Diana Butnarciuc, was detained by ICE at her green card interview and deported to Moldova.

Baja said his wife left her two children behind and he is disappointed because he expected more help due to his military service

Baja said his wife left her two children behind and he is disappointed because he expected more help due to his military service

She was held at the Henderson Detention Center until she was deported less than two months later.

‘She came in legally to the United States with political asylum, and she’s been working since the beginning – everything has been to a T, legal,’ Baja said.

‘Everything we did was legal. She was here legally, never had a criminal record, worked for years. That’s the misconception, people think she must have done something wrong.’

He added, ‘They didn’t explain the process at all. They just took her and said, ‘We’ll get to the bottom of this,’ and that’s really it. It was just very mind-blowing.’

Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford told KLAS that Butnarciuc’s case is just one example of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.

‘The fact is, what we’re seeing happening is atrocious across the nation. ICE is out of hand,’ Ford said.

Butnarciuc entered the US in 2008 and claimed political asylum, however, that claim was denied in 2017 and a removal order was issued. The couple applied for an I-130 in 2020

Butnarciuc entered the US in 2008 and claimed political asylum, however, that claim was denied in 2017 and a removal order was issued. The couple applied for an I-130 in 2020.

‘Have been clear that as the Nevada Attorney General, I represent the entirety of the Nevada family, and I mean that.

‘I don’t care if you’ve been here three generations or for three days. If you live in the state of Nevada, I’m your attorney general, and I will stand up for your rights.’

The Daily Mail contacted Butnarciuc’s immigration attorney, Baja, ICE and DHS for comment.