Bulwark Takes: Episode Summary – "ICE Tore Their Family Apart. But It Didn't Kill Their Love"

Release Date: June 5, 2025

Introduction

In this heartfelt episode of Bulwark Takes, host Andrew Egger engages in a profound conversation with Adrian Carrasquillo, the author behind the insightful newsletter Huddled Masses. They delve into the harrowing story of a family torn apart by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions, exploring the human costs of stringent immigration policies in the United States.

The Family's Story

Adrian begins by introducing listeners to Emily and Diego, a couple whose lives have been dramatically affected by ICE's enforcement measures. Emily, a U.S. citizen from California residing in Tennessee, and Diego, an immigrant from Colombia with a deportation order dating back to 2019, exemplify the complexities faced by many families caught in the immigration system.

Adrian Carrasquillo [00:42]: "I was fascinated by what could happen. That would basically be your country saying, sorry, like we're deporting your husband. Which means if you want to be with your family and with your two and a half year old son, you need to leave the only country that you've known that you're a citizen of, which I thought was pretty crazy."

The couple met during the COVID-19 pandemic while Emily was struggling financially, delivering food for Grubhub and DoorDash. Their love blossomed despite the uncertainties surrounding Diego's immigration status. In January 2023, with the support of Emily's father—a Vietnam veteran and staunch Trump supporter—Diego officiated their wedding.

However, Diego's annual ICE check-in in February took an unexpected turn. Despite having complied with all requirements over the past 12 years, he was detained and deported to Louisiana within weeks, leaving Emily and their young son devastated.

Impact of ICE Policies

The sudden deportation of Diego highlights the unpredictable and often harsh realities of ICE enforcement. Adrian discusses how immigrants in a "penumbral state" find themselves vulnerable as policies expand beyond targeting criminals to include individuals who have long-term residency and established lives in the U.S.

Adrian Carrasquillo [01:33]: "She is a US citizen, she's from California. They live in Tennessee now. And so I was fascinated by what could happen. That would basically be your country saying, sorry, like we're deporting your husband."

Emily now faces the agonizing decision to leave the only country she knows with her child or attempt to reunite the family in Colombia. This situation underscores the emotional and logistical turmoil families endure when immigration policies are enforced without consideration for individual circumstances.

Community Responses and Personal Connections

The episode sheds light on the broader community impact of deportations. Emily's father, despite his firm Trump-supporting stance on immigration, found common ground with Diego, officiating their wedding and supporting the family during a personal tragedy—the passing of Emily's father due to a brain tumor.

Andrew Egger [05:27]: "Emily's father, a Vietnam veteran and a die hard Trump fan, got along well with Diego so well that he officiated at their wedding in January 2023."

Additionally, the couple's relationship with their elderly Baptist neighbors exemplifies the ripple effects of immigration enforcement. These neighbors, who viewed Emily and Diego as surrogate grandchildren, are deeply affected by the family's separation.

Adrian Carrasquillo [07:48]: "He was showing, the husband had a garden and, and they just love the son. And she told me the wife has cried since she found out that they're having to leave."

Broader Immigration Policy Context

The conversation transitions to a critical analysis of current immigration policies under the Trump administration. Adrian critiques the administration's approach, noting that while intentions may focus on law and order, the execution leads to unintended and often detrimental consequences for families and communities.

Adrian Carrasquillo [08:42]: "I mean, there's a reason that Democrats and Republicans have agreed for a generation that the immigration system is broken."

He emphasizes the need for comprehensive reform, including increased resources for immigration judges and the modernization of immigration courts to address existing backlogs. The current strategy of mass deportation, without addressing systemic inefficiencies, exacerbates the humanitarian crisis and strains community relations.

Looking Forward: Reuniting the Family

Emily and Diego have made the difficult decision to relocate to Colombia to maintain their family unit. The episode details their preparations, including Diego obtaining a motorcycle license to navigate Colombia more easily and securing a passport for their son.

Adrian Carrasquillo [10:50]: "He's going through six weeks of driver's ed. He got a motorcycle license. She got him a motorcycle so he can get around. She's getting a passport for her son. And so they're going to head there in June."

This move, while a testament to their resilience and love, also highlights the challenges faced by deported individuals in reestablishing their lives abroad.

Conclusion and Ongoing Stories

Before wrapping up, Adrian hints at a continuation of these stories, promising a part two featuring another family affected by immigration policies, further illustrating the widespread and varied impact of ICE actions across different communities.

Adrian Carrasquillo [10:50]: "I will say that like I also have a part two of this Love in the Time of self deportation story coming out. Another family, a different they're going somewhere else."

Andrew commends Adrian for bringing these personal narratives to light, emphasizing the importance of such stories in understanding the true cost of immigration policies beyond political debates.

Andrew Egger [11:47]: "Thanks for doing it, Adrian, and thanks for coming on to talk about it."

Final Thoughts

This episode of Bulwark Takes poignantly captures the intersection of personal love stories and national immigration policies, illustrating how laws intended to manage borders can deeply disrupt individual lives and communities. Through Emily and Diego's experience, listeners gain a nuanced perspective on the human side of immigration enforcement, fostering empathy and a deeper understanding of the complexities involved.

Notable Quotes

• Adrian Carrasquillo [00:42]: "That would basically be your country saying, sorry, like we're deporting your husband... pretty crazy."

• Adrian Carrasquillo [01:33]: "She is a US citizen... she needs to leave the only country that you've known that you're a citizen of."

• Andrew Egger [05:27]: "Emily's father... a die hard Trump fan, got along well with Diego..."

• Adrian Carrasquillo [07:48]: "She told me the wife has cried since she found out that they're having to leave."

• Adrian Carrasquillo [08:42]: "The immigration system is broken."

• Andrew Egger [11:47]: "Thanks for doing it, Adrian, and thanks for coming on to talk about it."

For more in-depth stories and analyses on immigration and other pressing issues, subscribe to the Bulwark Feed and explore Adrian Carrasquillo's Huddled Masses newsletter at bulwark.com.