'Mum is finally free!' Pensioner detained by ICE in US returns to France
BBC • • nation
Key Points:
- Marie-Thérèse, an elderly French woman detained by US immigration authorities, has returned to France, confirmed by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot.
- She moved to the US last year after marrying her American husband Billy, who died in January, and was awaiting a green card when detained for overstaying her visa.
- Upon arrival in Paris, she was reportedly in shock and physically and emotionally exhausted, still wearing her stained and torn prison uniform.
- The detention followed a family dispute with Billy's son, who allegedly threatened her and cut off utilities, leading to her arrest by ICE just before a court hearing.
- French officials criticized ICE's detention methods as potentially unacceptable, reflecting broader concerns about US immigration enforcement practices under President Trump's administration.
