A Marine veteran in Louisiana is speaking out after his wife was taken by U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement last month at her green card interview. Adrian Clouatre, who served in the Marine Corps, expressed his anguish and frustration at the situation, stating that he just wants to be able to keep his wife, Paola.
The couple met in Palm Springs, California, in 2022, and eventually settled down in Prairieville, Louisiana, after Adrian left the Marines. Paola, who is originally from Mexico, was in the process of obtaining permanent resident status when she was detained by ICE. Despite following the rules and attending her green card interview, Paola was informed that she had a deportation order dating back to 2018.
According to their lawyer, Carey Holliday, Paola had no criminal history and was working with a lawyer to lift the removal order. However, after honestly disclosing the pending removal order at her interview, ICE agents arrived and took her into custody. She was subsequently taken to the Richwood Correctional Facility in Monroe, where she is now separated from her husband and their two young children.
Adrian has been driving long hours to visit his wife and ensure their children can see their mother. The sudden separation has taken a toll on the family, prompting Adrian to set up a GoFundMe page to help cover legal expenses and support his efforts to reunite with his wife.
Carey Holliday criticized the current immigration enforcement policies, stating that the couple was “victimized by bad legal advice.” He is working on getting Paola back to Baton Rouge by filing a motion to reopen an emergency stay of removal. Holliday also criticized President Trump’s approach to immigration enforcement, emphasizing the need for exceptions to be made in cases like Paola’s.
As the Clouatre family navigates this challenging situation, they remain hopeful for a resolution that will allow them to be reunited and continue their lives together in Louisiana.
