Fact Check: Veteran's Wife Detained by ICE While Breastfeeding Her Three-Month-Old Baby
What We Know
On May 27, 2023, Paola Clouatre, the wife of a Marine Corps veteran, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during a routine green card application appointment. At the time of her detention, she was still breastfeeding her three-month-old daughter, Lyn. Following her arrest, her husband, Adrian Clouatre, expressed his concerns about the impact of her absence on their children, particularly on their breastfeeding infant, who has since been given formula instead (MSNBC, NBC News, ABC News).
Paola Clouatre had been in the U.S. for over a decade, initially brought by her mother to seek asylum. She began the process of obtaining a green card after marrying Adrian in 2024. However, she was reportedly unaware of a deportation order issued against her in 2018 due to her mother's failure to appear at an immigration hearing (MSNBC). The couple's lawyer has since filed a motion to reopen her deportation case (MSNBC).
Analysis
The claim that Paola Clouatre was detained by ICE while breastfeeding her three-month-old baby is substantiated by multiple credible news sources. Reports from MSNBC, NBC News, and ABC News consistently detail the circumstances of her detention and the emotional toll it has taken on her family. The accounts provided by her husband, Adrian Clouatre, lend a personal perspective to the situation, highlighting the distress caused by her sudden absence from their children's lives (MSNBC, NBC News, ABC News).
The sources reporting on this incident are reputable news organizations, which typically adhere to journalistic standards of verification and fact-checking. The emotional and legal complexities surrounding immigration enforcement, especially in cases involving military families, have been well-documented, particularly under the policies enacted during the Trump administration (MSNBC).
While the personal accounts from the Clouatre family provide a compelling narrative, they are supported by the broader context of immigration policy changes that have affected many families in similar situations. The sources do not appear to exhibit significant bias, focusing instead on the facts of the case and the family's plight.
Conclusion
The claim that Paola Clouatre was detained by ICE while breastfeeding her three-month-old baby is True. The evidence from multiple credible sources confirms the details of her detention, the circumstances surrounding it, and the emotional impact on her family. The situation reflects broader issues within U.S. immigration policy, particularly as they pertain to military families.
