Father of US Marine arrested and deported by ICE

By VICTORIA CHURCHILL, US POLITICAL REPORTER

Published: | Updated:

The father of a US Marine has been deported after being detained during a visit to Camp Pendleton in San Diego last month. According to Steve Rios, the Marine, his father, Esteban Rios, and mother, Luisa Rodriguez, were held after attempting what had become a routine visit to his pregnant sister, Ashley Rios, and her husband, who is also a Marine.

The father of a US Marine has been deported after being detained during a visit to Camp Pendleton in San Diego last month. According to Steve Rios, the Marine, his father, Esteban Rios, and mother, Luisa Rodriguez, were held after attempting what had become a routine visit to his pregnant sister, Ashley Rios, and her husband, who is also a Marine.

Esteban has lived in the United States for the last 30 years cleaning cars and houses after emigrating from Mexico — and has no criminal record, the family said. Steve told NBC 7 San Diego that his parents had been frequently visiting the base to see Ashley in recent months, but things took a turn south at the most recent visit.

Esteban has lived in the United States for the last 30 years cleaning cars and houses after emigrating from Mexico — and has no criminal record, the family said. Steve told NBC 7 San Diego that his parents had been frequently visiting the base to see Ashley in recent months, but things took a turn south at the most recent visit.

The Marine noted that his parents were stopped at the gate at Camp Pendleton before ICE agents arrived and detained both of them. He also noted they both have pending green card applications – sponsored by Steve – and work visas as they wait for approval.

The Marine noted that his parents were stopped at the gate at Camp Pendleton before ICE agents arrived and detained both of them. He also noted they both have pending green card applications – sponsored by Steve – and work visas as they wait for approval.

'It was scary,' Steve said. 'It was scary because my whole life, I've kind of just, it's been in the back of my head.' His sister Ashley, who was waiting for them with her husband, said: 'My brother texted me that they got stopped. And as soon as I heard that, I just started, like, bawling.' Steve additionally told NBC7 that his father was sorting a red shirt and white hat that both said 'Proud dad of a US Marine,' at the time of the incident.

'It was scary,' Steve said. 'It was scary because my whole life, I've kind of just, it's been in the back of my head.' His sister Ashley, who was waiting for them with her husband, said: 'My brother texted me that they got stopped. And as soon as I heard that, I just started, like, bawling.' Steve additionally told NBC7 that his father was sorting a red shirt and white hat that both said 'Proud dad of a US Marine,' at the time of the incident.

Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Daily Mail via an emailed statement that 'under President Trump and Secretary Noem, if you break the law - including domestic violence and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon - you will face the consequences.

Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Daily Mail via an emailed statement that 'under President Trump and Secretary Noem, if you break the law - including domestic violence and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon - you will face the consequences.

'Criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the US.' DHS did not respond to a follow-up question from the Daily Mail inquiring if Rios had a criminal record in time for publication, and could not confirm independently that he had a criminal record.

'Criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the US.' DHS did not respond to a follow-up question from the Daily Mail inquiring if Rios had a criminal record in time for publication, and could not confirm independently that he had a criminal record.

The recent removal comes as the Trump administration has supercharged the rate of deportations during his second term. Human Rights First, a non-profit organization, noted that 'in September 2025 alone, ICE Flight Monitor recorded at least 1,464 US immigration enforcement flights - the highest monthly total to date, averaging 49 flights per day.'

The recent removal comes as the Trump administration has supercharged the rate of deportations during his second term. Human Rights First, a non-profit organization, noted that 'in September 2025 alone, ICE Flight Monitor recorded at least 1,464 US immigration enforcement flights - the highest monthly total to date, averaging 49 flights per day.'

The group also added that 'as Trump escalates his deportation campaign, the number of these related enforcement flights continues to surge, raising significant due process concerns regarding the underlying legality of these mass enforcement actions.'

The group also added that 'as Trump escalates his deportation campaign, the number of these related enforcement flights continues to surge, raising significant due process concerns regarding the underlying legality of these mass enforcement actions.'

DHS touted on September 23rd that over 2 million illegal aliens 'have been removed or have self-deported since January 20', with 1.6 million leaving by themselves and 400,000 being removed.

DHS touted on September 23rd that over 2 million illegal aliens 'have been removed or have self-deported since January 20', with 1.6 million leaving by themselves and 400,000 being removed.

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