Chantell Zarate, a resident of Ogden, Utah, is grappling with uncertainty as her husband, Luis Zarate, remains in custody, facing potential deportation to Mexico. Luis was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials on December 2, 2023, leaving Chantell to contemplate the future of their family.
“We’re kind of stressing,” Chantell remarked. “We have to decide if we’re going to go out there or stay here or if I go or stay. But either way, I’m ripping apart my family. I have a grandchild.” The emotional toll of the situation is compounded by the couple’s four children, aged between 13 and 19, all U.S. citizens, and Chantell’s two older children from a previous relationship.
Legal Challenges and Family Impact
In the wake of her husband’s arrest, Chantell has sought legal counsel. Unfortunately, the advice she received was disheartening. “The lawyer basically told me that he didn’t think they could do anything,” she explained. “There’s nothing they could do because of the way the laws are set in stone.” This stark assessment has left her feeling powerless as she navigates the complexities of immigration law.
Luis Zarate, now 38, entered the United States illegally in the early 2000s at the age of 14. He was deported in 2006 after a conviction for forgery, a third-degree felony, in Weber County. Despite this past, he returned to the U.S., which ultimately led to his current detention.
Chantell acknowledges that public sentiment often leans against immigrants who are in the country illegally. “I get it that many people don’t have sympathy for immigrants, particularly if they’re breaking major laws and causing a lot of havoc,” she said. An ICE official described Luis as “a criminal alien from Mexico who has previously been removed from the U.S.”
Humanizing the Immigration Debate
As she faces an uncertain future, Chantell hopes her family’s story will shed light on the human impact of strict immigration policies. Since taking office, former President Donald Trump emphasized the need for increased deportations, arguing that undocumented immigrants pose a public safety risk and burden public resources. “I hope people would see what it’s really like and how hard it is,” she said. “I don’t know if it will change minds, but I hope it does.”
Chantell’s ordeal reflects a broader issue within the immigration debate, highlighting the challenges families face when one member is at risk of deportation. As the situation evolves, she remains committed to advocating for her husband and family, navigating a system that often seems stacked against them.
With her husband currently detained in the Davis County Jail, Chantell continues to explore her options for legal support, all while striving to maintain stability for her children amid the turmoil.
