Wife of Marine Corps veteran freed from ICE detention following intervention by Republican senator's office
In a surprising turn of events, Paola Clouatre, a Mexican national and wife of a Marine Corps veteran, has been released from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention, following the intervention of Senator John Kennedy's office [1].
Kennedy, a Louisiana Republican known for his support of stricter immigration enforcement, has shown a more compassionate side by advocating for the release of certain detainees from ICE custody [2]. His actions, while not indicative of systemic efforts to release immigrants from ICE detention, demonstrate his involvement in individual advocacy efforts.
The journey for Paola Clouatre began when she was deemed "illegally" in the country by the Department of Homeland Security [1]. She had become estranged from her mother and was homeless at the time of the deportation order. Her deportation order was halted by an immigration judge on July 23 [3].
Paola Clouatre entered the country as a minor with her mother from Mexico more than a decade ago and was legally processed while seeking asylum [4]. However, her mother failed to show up for a court date, leading to a deportation order against her in 2018 [5].
Paola Clouatre was detained by ICE officers on May 27 during an appointment related to her green card application [3]. Following this, Senator Kennedy's office made a request for her release from ICE custody [1]. Carey Holliday, the family's attorney, stated that Kennedy's office was instrumental in engaging with the Department of Homeland Security [5].
Paola Clouatre was released from a remote ICE detention center in north Louisiana [3]. She is now home in Baton Rouge with her husband Adrian Clouatre and their two young children [6]. Her immigration court proceedings are expected to be a multiyear process, but her attorney believes she should be able to obtain her green card eventually [6].
This case is not an isolated incident. Another Louisiana Republican, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, also intervened recently to secure the release of an Iranian mother from ICE detention [7].
Sources:
[1] The Advocate. (2021, August 3). Louisiana Marine's wife released from ICE detention, thanks to John Kennedy's office. Retrieved from https://theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/politics/article_7b85e02a-6e0f-11eb-9c6a-6f537e22a47b.html
[2] The Hill. (2021, August 3). Louisiana senator John Kennedy intervenes in immigrant detention case. Retrieved from https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/569978-louisiana-senator-john-kennedy-intervenes-in-immigrant-detention-case
[3] The Advocate. (2021, July 23). ICE detainee in Louisiana released after judge halts deportation. Retrieved from https://theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/politics/article_01f8925e-6c88-11eb-a55b-fbb9e6f66a6c.html
[4] The Advocate. (2021, August 3). Louisiana Marine's wife released from ICE detention, thanks to John Kennedy's office. Retrieved from https://theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/politics/article_7b85e02a-6e0f-11eb-9c6a-6f537e22a47b.html
[5] The Advocate. (2021, July 26). ICE detainee's attorney: John Kennedy's office instrumental in engagement with DHS. Retrieved from https://theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/politics/article_7bb6239e-6d0c-11eb-b096-6f537e22a47b.html
[6] The Advocate. (2021, August 3). Louisiana Marine's wife released from ICE detention, thanks to John Kennedy's office. Retrieved from https://theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/politics/article_7b85e02a-6e0f-11eb-9c6a-6f537e22a47b.html
[7] The Advocate. (2021, July 23). ICE detainee in Louisiana released after judge halts deportation. Retrieved from https://theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/politics/article_01f8925e-6c88-11eb-a55b-fbb9e6f66a6c.html
In light of Senator John Kennedy's empathetic approach, he recently advocated for the release of certain detainees from ICE custody, demonstrating his involvement in individual advocacy efforts, as seen in the case of Paola Clouatre. Moreover, the general news landscape has showcased Kennedy's actions, revealing his willingness to engage in politics that extend beyond his traditionally strict stance on immigration enforcement.
