U.S. Marine Veteran Navigates Immigration Struggles After Wife’s Detention
In a poignant story highlighting the challenges facing immigrant families, Adrian Clouatre, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, is ferrying his nine-week-old daughter to a north Louisiana detention facility. His wife, Paola Clouatre, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in New Orleans following a routine immigration check-in. The couple attended the appointment together, where they disclosed Paola’s immigration status in hopes of securing her green card.
At just 25 years old, Paola entered the U.S. from Mexico as a teenager. Her mother sought asylum, but a failure to attend a 2018 court hearing resulted in a deportation order for both mother and daughter. The Clouatres learned of this order shortly before Paola’s ICE detention on May 27. She is currently being held at Richwood Correctional Center while awaiting a ruling on a request to halt her deportation.
Adrian has been making the long drive from Baton Rouge to Monroe twice a week to visit Paola and ensure their infant daughter can nurse. "I’m managing day-by-day… to raise awareness and free my wife," he expressed.
This incident reflects a growing trend under the Trump administration, which has intensified immigration enforcement, including arrests at court appointments. Historically viewed as sensitive, these types of operations are now being executed more frequently, leading to concerns about deterring migrants from participating in legal processes.
Advocates argue that the current environment has created a "damned if you do, damned if you don’t" situation for immigrants. The Clouatres, who recently moved back to Louisiana where Adrian manages a restaurant, have two children: a one-year-old boy and their nursing infant girl. As the family awaits a judge’s decision, they remain hopeful for a positive outcome.
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