Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has detained a nursing mother, with her spouse, a former Marine veteran, advocating for her release from custody.
In a heart-wrenching turn of events, Adrian Clouatre, a 26-year-old service-disabled US Marine Corps veteran, has taken a bold step to appeal for the pardon of his wife, Paola, and allow her to apply for a green card. Paola, a 25-year-old Mexican native who arrived in the United States in 2014, is currently being held at the Richwood Correctional Center near Monroe, Louisiana, after being ordered for deportation due to her absence at an immigration hearing.
Paola's story is a testament to resilience, having spent her teenage years in homeless shelters. She is the mother of Noah, a 2-year-old, and Lyn, a 3-month-old, with Adrian. Tragically, Paola was not served the notice for her deportation hearing and did not know about the appointment.
In an attempt to reopen her deportation order case, their lawyer, Carey Holliday, based in California, has filed a Motion to Reopen. This legal manoeuvre allows the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) or an Immigration Judge to reconsider the case based on new facts or circumstances that were not presented during the original proceedings.
The Motion to Reopen must typically be filed within 90 days of the final removal order. In Paola's case, the motion argues that the lack of notice of the hearing was the reason she missed it. To substantiate this claim, the motion presents evidence showing that Paola did not receive proper notification of the deportation hearing.
It is crucial for the individual to keep their address updated with the court and DHS to avoid missed notifications and complicate reopening efforts. Unfortunately, in Paola's case, the conditions of her detention have not been disclosed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Adrian is deeply concerned about the effect of Paola's detention on her mental state and is dedicated to ensuring she can use a breast pump while in detention. He also shared that less than 10% of immigrants taken into ICE custody since October had serious criminal convictions, according to internal data.
The Clouatres' lives have taken an unexpected turn, with their young family being torn apart. Adrian, in a desperate plea, has sent a letter to the White House, begging President Trump to pardon Paola and allow her to apply for a green card. As they await a decision, they continue to fight for justice and the reunification of their family.
[1] American Immigration Council, "Motions to Reopen and Reconsider", https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/research/motions-reopen-and-reconsider [2] U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, "Motion to Reopen", https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-8-part-k-chapter-5#a1 [3] National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild, "Motions to Reopen and Reconsider", https://www.nationalimmigrationproject.org/resources/motions-to-reopen-and-reconsider/ [4] American Immigration Council, "Immigration Court Notices", https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/research/immigration-court-notices
Scientists could research the psychological impact of prolonged detention on mental health, considering cases like Paola's, to develop strategies for improving health-and-wellness among detainees. Adrian, alongside advocates for mental-health, may lobby for policies ensuring detainees' access to necessary medical care and resources, such as breast pumps, to maintain their wellbeing.
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