Black Hawk pilot says wife has been held in detention for weeks

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Her husband and brother both claim that Stephanie Kenny-Velasquez had an asylum case pending and no criminal record.

On Dec 3rd, 2025, U.S. Army Reserve Black Hawk pilot Chris Busby, 28, and Stephanie Kenny-Velasquez, 25, went to a courthouse in Austin, Texas to get their marriage certificate. Velasquez stated she came to the United States in 2021 to escape the instability and violence in Venezuela. She presented herself to officials upon her arrival in Miami, and has a pending asylum case. The couple met soon after and began dating, eventually deciding to get married. However, 48 hours after Velasquez and Busby left the courthouse, Velasquez went to a Houston immigration office for a scheduled check-in, and never returned.  

Without  explanation, Velasquez was transferred to the Montgomery Processing Center in Conroe,TX. Busby has said that the poor conditions have taken a visible toll on her health.  He adds that Velasquez has a bunk bed surrounded by 80 women, who all share seven tablets to contact loved ones and lawyers. Adding, they are allowed only one visit per week and are given food that is barely edible.  According to her lawyer, Velasquez was denied bond on Jan. 9th, 2026.

Busby has expressed frustration at the lack of help and information him and his spouse are given. 

Despite the military’s Parole in Place program, which is intended to provide legal protections for spouses who lack U.S citizenship, there has been no progress in helping the couple to be reunited. 

A new message on the initiative’s website now says the Department of Homeland Security will no longer accept applications or adjudicate ones that were pending. 

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