Elderly French Bride Deported After Stepchildren's Alleged ICE Plot in Bitter Inheritance Battle
An 86-year-old French woman who moved to Alabama to marry her longtime American sweetheart was forcibly deported from the United States after her stepson allegedly used his federal government position to orchestrate her arrest by Immigration and Customs Enforcement during a bitter inheritance dispute.
Dramatic Arrest and Swift Deportation
Marie-Therese Helene Claire Ross-Mahé, 86, was violently removed from her Anniston, Alabama home on April 1 while wearing only her nightgown and robe, according to court documents. Immigration agents reportedly ripped the elderly woman from her bed during the early morning raid and transported her to a detention facility in Louisiana.
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson confirmed that Marie-Therese was subsequently deported on Thursday after spending more than two weeks in ICE custody. The spokesperson stated she had overstayed her tourism visa, having entered the United States in June 2025 under the Visa Waiver Program which permits only 90-day stays.
Decades-Long Romance Cut Short
The elderly woman had moved to the small Alabama town of Anniston, population approximately 22,000, after marrying retired Army Captain William "Bill" Ross in April last year. Their romance spanned decades, having first met in the late 1960s when Bill was stationed in France and Marie-Therese worked as a bilingual secretary at a NATO base.
After both lost their respective spouses, the couple reconnected and sparked a late-life romance that culminated in their marriage. Tragically, their union lasted just nine months before Bill passed away on January 24, leaving Marie-Therese in the process of obtaining a green card to remain legally in the country.
Stepchildren's Alleged Scheme
Following Bill's death, his sons William "Tony" Ross and Gary Ross launched what a judge described as an orchestrated campaign to take control of their father's estate and remove their stepmother from the country. Calhoun County Probate Judge Shirley Millwood wrote in a court order that Tony, a former state trooper currently employed by the federal government, allegedly spoke with a colleague and requested Marie-Therese's detention by ICE.
Court filings reveal that Bill's modest estate consisted primarily of his $172,000 Anniston home, approximately $1,500 in cash, and about $10,000 in personal property including a Mercedes-Benz C3000 and a truck. According to documents, Tony and Gary allegedly removed the vehicles from the property the day after their father's death.
Systematic Harassment and Coercion
The judge's order details how the brothers allegedly escalated their campaign against their stepmother. They reportedly had the water, electricity, and internet services disconnected at her home and rerouted all mail from the residence, including crucial immigration notices addressed to Marie-Therese.
According to court documents, the brothers even offered Marie-Therese $10,000 to sign away her rights to the estate, an offer she reportedly declined. Judge Millwood wrote that after the brothers were unsuccessful in coercing their stepmother to accept their offer, "this court believes William Anthony Ross used his position as a United States Federal Government employee for personal gain."
Evidence of Coordination
While Tony testified that he did not make any call or have any conversation requesting his stepmother's deportation, Judge Millwood cited compelling evidence to the contrary. The order states that Tony received a message from US Marshals the day before Marie-Therese's arrest alerting him that she would be detained, and received a text message within an hour of her arrest confirming her detention.
After receiving these communications, Tony allegedly alerted his brother Gary, who then went to the property with his wife and changed all the locks, effectively locking Marie-Therese out of her own home.
Failed Judicial Intervention
Despite Judge Millwood's urgent recommendation that the federal government investigate the circumstances surrounding Marie-Therese's arrest, the elderly woman was deported before any investigation could take place. The judge had specifically highlighted concerns about potential abuse of government position for personal gain in the inheritance dispute.
A DHS spokesperson told the Daily Mail that Marie-Therese was "an illegal alien from France" who had remained in the country illegally for seven months beyond her permitted stay. The spokesperson urged all illegal aliens to "self-deport now," noting that the US government offers $2,600 and a free flight to those who voluntarily leave.
Aftermath and Health Concerns
Marie-Therese's attorney, Kimberly Willingham, confirmed that her client has been repatriated to France, where her children reside. "She was exhausted and not feeling well when she landed," Willingham told the Daily Mail. "She has medical appointments on Monday because she was not given her meds while in the Louisiana facility."
The attorney added that Marie-Therese felt neither she nor other inmates at the Louisiana detention center were treated well during her confinement. Willingham stated that her client had been actively pursuing legal immigration status, having attended an appointment just days prior to her detention in compliance with her visa requirements.
"The French consulate was heavily involved in Ms Marie's release and we are grateful to everyone involved in helping get my client home," Willingham concluded, highlighting the international dimensions of this troubling case that blends family conflict, immigration enforcement, and allegations of government position abuse.
