An 85-year-old French widow who was held in US immigration custody for 16 days has returned to France, prompting criticism from French officials. Marie-Thérèse Ross was detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on 1 April for overstaying her 90-day visa, despite her family's claims that she was in the process of applying for a green card.
Ross had moved to Alabama after marrying a retired US soldier in June. Following his death in January, a dispute over his estate arose. A probate judge found that her stepson, a federal employee, allegedly used his position to have her detained days before a court hearing. Ross was taken into custody in her nightgown, without her phone or passport.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot confirmed her return on Friday, stating that ICE's methods were 'not in line' with French standards and 'not acceptable to us.' Ross's son, Herve Goix, expressed relief, saying, 'We are very, very happy, but we are tired.'
Ross's attorney, Kim Willingham, claimed she was denied necessary medication and treated poorly in the Louisiana detention facility. The attorney said Ross 'did everything she was supposed to do' for her green card. Ross gave up her French pension to move to the US.
Calhoun County Probate Judge Shirley A. Millwood noted that the stepson rerouted Ross's mail, causing her to miss a crucial immigration appointment. The judge also accused him of using his position to prompt her arrest and said evidence indicated he knew of the arrest in advance. In an April 10 ruling, the judge ordered the stepsons to allow Ross to retrieve her belongings and urged a federal investigation into the arrest.
The stepson's attorney declined to comment, and the Department of Homeland Security did not respond to requests for comment.
