Congressional Democrats said they are investigating the Trump administration’s efforts to deport military service members and their families after more than 50 active-duty troops鈥� spouses and parents have been detained by authorities.
In a letter sent Sunday evening to the Department of Homeland Security, the Defense Department and the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Democrats said they will investigate whether the Pentagon and DHS are coordinating to deport military service members and their families.
鈥淭hese efforts imperil military readiness, weaken service members鈥� morale, and betray America鈥檚 promises to the people who put their lives on the line for our nation,鈥� according to the letter, which was signed by more than 60 lawmakers and provided to the AP.
The Pentagon declined to comment, stating it would 鈥渞eply directly to the authors of the letter.鈥�
DHS told the AP that it values service members’ contributions and 鈥淯.S. military service alone does not automatically grant lawful immigration status, or exempt aliens from the consequences of violating U.S. immigration laws.鈥�
The VA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In their letter, the Democrats provided an extensive list of questions to the agencies. They said the apparent collaboration between DHS and the military to deport troops鈥� families 鈥渞aises both ethical and legal concerns.鈥�
鈥淒onald Trump is breaking our country鈥檚 promises to service members by tearing apart dozens of military families who were promised immigration protections,鈥� Massachusetts said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 just plain cruel, and it鈥檚 hurting our military readiness and morale.鈥�
Warren’s office is leading the probe alongside Connecticut , Illinois and several House Democrats.
The AP investigation found President Donald Trump’s administration has rolled back protections for military families and departed from longstanding bipartisan consensus to carry out its . Service members have been forced to take leave of their duties, including delaying deployment, to care for their children after their spouses were detained.
The lawmakers pressed the administration on why military recruiters are still promoting immigration protections.
Citing the AP’s reporting, the lawmakers urged the Trump administration to restore policies that had previously from immigration enforcement while allowing them to adjust their legal status.
鈥淭his report is appalling and shows the unbelievable cruelty at the center of the Trump immigration agenda,鈥� said Blumenthal, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. 鈥淲e will be demanding answers and accountability.鈥�
The Republican chairs of the armed services and veterans鈥� affairs committees, Mississippi and Kansas Sen. Jerry Moran, did not respond to requests for comment.
Last week, Trump established the Military Spouse Commission, chaired by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth鈥檚 wife, Jennifer Rauchet, to develop policies and recommendations for improving life for troops’ spouses.
鈥淢ilitary spouses are intrinsically linked to the good order, readiness, and retention of our military,鈥� Trump stated in a letter published in the Federal Register on Aug. 6. 鈥淭heir support and contributions to our Armed Forces are crucial to mission success.鈥�
The White House did not respond to a request for comment.
The Defense Department said in a December letter to Democratic lawmakers, obtained by the AP, that it had not implemented any recent policy changes for noncitizen family members in the military and has not conducted analysis on how deportations impact troop readiness and morale.
Danitza James, president of , an organization providing support to military families and veterans facing deportation, said troops are being betrayed.
鈥淥ur military service members are the ones that sign on the dotted line to go and defend our country and maybe not come back,鈥� James said. 鈥淭hey trust our government to take care of their families, and they鈥檙e not doing that.鈥�
___
Brook is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse 91欧美激情 Initiative. is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
Copyright © 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
