As her husband, Luis Zarate, faces potential deportation, Chantell Zarate from Ogden is grappling with uncertainty about her family’s future. Arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials on December 2, 2023, Luis has been detained, leaving Chantell to navigate the emotional and practical implications of his situation.
Chantell expressed her distress, stating, “We’re kind of stressing. We have to decide if we’re going to go out there or stay out here or if I go or stay. But either way, I’m ripping apart … my family. I have a grandchild.” This dilemma highlights the personal toll that immigration enforcement can take on families, particularly those with deep roots in their communities.
Legal Struggles and Family Impact
Since Luis’s arrest, Chantell has consulted with a lawyer regarding his possible deportation. Unfortunately, she reported that the lawyer did not provide much hope, stating, “There’s nothing they could do because of the way the laws are set in stone.” This bleak outlook adds to her anxiety, as she considers the implications for their four U.S.-born children, aged between 13 and 19, as well as her two older children from a previous relationship.
Chantell believes that sharing her family’s story may shed light on the harsh realities of immigration enforcement. She stated, “I hope people would see what it’s really like and how hard it is, and then it would hopefully change minds.” Her statements reflect a growing concern among many families affected by strict immigration policies, particularly under the administration of former President Donald Trump, who prioritized the detention and deportation of undocumented immigrants.
While many in the public may lack sympathy for those who break immigration laws, Chantell emphasizes that legal pathways for immigrants to enter the United States are often limited. Her husband, now 38, originally entered the U.S. illegally as a teenager and was deported in 2006 after a conviction for forgery, a third-degree felony. Despite this history, he returned to the U.S. before his most recent arrest.
Current Detention Status
As of now, Luis is being held in the Davis County Jail in Farmington. An ICE representative referred to him as “a criminal alien from Mexico who has previously been removed from the U.S.” This characterization underscores the complexities surrounding immigration enforcement and the varying public perceptions of individuals caught in such legal battles.
Chantell’s situation is a poignant reminder of the human impact of immigration policies. With families torn apart by deportation and legal battles, many face emotional and financial strains. The uncertainty surrounding Luis’s fate continues to weigh heavily on Chantell, who hopes for a resolution that allows her family to remain together in Ogden.
