Texas Woman Seeks Help as Husband Held by ICE Near San Angelo

HUMBLE, TX – A Humble woman is seeking legal help after her husband, Jose Navas, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in West Texas and transferred to a detention center in Eden, near San Angelo, KPRC 2 reported.

Navas, who moved to the U.S. from El Salvador 22 years ago, has been in ICE custody since Sunday. His wife, Sakiah Navas, a U.S. citizen, said he has no criminal record and has been working toward citizenship. The couple has three children, ages 6, 3 and 1.

Sakiah Navas said her husband, who owns a roofing business, was in Lubbock for work after recent hailstorms. He was pulled over during a traffic stop and taken into custody by ICE agents along with other roofers traveling with him. She said he was turned over to ICE for not having a driver’s license.

“He says it’s completely packed full of so many people, obviously that they are just shoving in there. It’s complete chaos. It’s a mess,” Sakiah Navas told KPRC 2 about the detention facility.

She said she has spoken to her husband several times by phone and is consulting an attorney to determine the next steps. She told KPRC 2 she is “fighting for him every single second.”

Sakiah Navas said her husband delayed applying for citizenship out of pride, not wanting it to appear as though he had married her for that reason.

KPRC 2 reported it has contacted ICE for more information about Jose Navas’ status but has not yet received a response.

Find KPRC 2's reporting HERE.