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By Billal Rahman
Immigration Reporter
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A U.S. citizen has married her fiance while he remains in immigration detention in Bakersfield, California, in a ceremony held inside a federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility.
Christina and Juan Serrano, a Guatemalan national, exchanged vows at the Mesa Verde ICE Processing Center on April 15, where he has been held for about seven months, she told local news outlet KERO.
The couple did not hold a traditional wedding, and it was limited in attendance and ceremony arrangements because of the detention facility's restrictions.
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"What counts is like our heart. We were here together at that time," the bride told the outlet.
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) told Newsweek, "On September 5, 2025, ICE arrested Juan Serrano, a criminal illegal alien from Guatemala. His criminal history includes an arrest for domestic violence. Border Patrol arrested Serrano in April 2021, and he was released into the country under the Biden administration.
"In December 2024, an immigration judge issued him a final order of removal. Serrano appealed the removal decision, but his appeal was dismissed in February 2026. He received full due process. He will remain in ICE custody pending removal."
Newsweek has contacted Christina Serrano, and ICE for comment.
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Why It Matters
According to Christina Serrano, the plans the couple had for their wedding day changed after Juan Serrano was taken into custody following an immigration check-in last September. Since returning to office in January 2025, President Donald Trump has overseen a crackdown on legal and illegal immigration, leading to a rise in arrests during routine check-ins—with immigration officials increasingly coordinating administrative appointments with enforcement actions.
Supporters argue that the approach strengthens immigration law enforcement by ensuring individuals with outstanding removal orders are detained when they appear for required appointments. Critics, including immigrant advocacy groups, say the practice erodes trust in the immigration system, discourages people from attending legally required check-ins and effectively turns administrative proceedings into enforcement traps that raise due process and humanitarian concerns.
What To Know
Christina Serrano said her husband had been living in the United States for about five years after applying for asylum, working as a welder and regularly completing immigration check-ins.
"They called him in to come and make his check-in, and that's when they got him detained," she told the outlet.
The couple got engaged about a year prior to Juan Serrano's detention, she said.
Christina Serrano described the in-facility wedding as emotionally difficult but meaningful given the circumstances.
Under ICE policy, detainees may submit marriage requests, which are reviewed on a case-by-case basis, according to the 2025 National Detention Standards. The policy guidelines say that once a marriage request is approved, the detainee or their legal representative is responsible for making all arrangements for the ceremony, including obtaining a marriage license, completing any required tests and securing an officiant.
Dawn Wilder, a pastor at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, officiated the ceremony. She told KERO that she agreed immediately when asked but added that ICE controlled the timing.
"As soon as they asked, I said yes. The biggest challenge was ICE sets the date and time. We had no control over that," Wilder told the outlet.
What Happens Next
Christina Serrano told KERO she would move forward with filing a formal immigration petition based on their marriage, a step that could help secure her husband's release.
"He would just want to be able to get released anytime soon and be with his family," she said.
She told the outlet that they hoped to celebrate again in the future, ideally with a ceremony in Las Vegas under different circumstances.
Update, 4/21/26, 3:10 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with comment from the DHS.
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