Son of 85-year-old French widow home after 16 days in US immigration custody says she needs rest

Key Points:

• Marie-Thérèse Ross, an 85-year-old French widow detained in the U.S. for overstaying her visa, has returned to France after 16 days in federal immigration custody, with her family emphasizing the need for her rest and recovery.
• Ross had entered the U.S. last June after marrying an American military veteran, but following her husband's death and a subsequent estate dispute, she was detained in Alabama on April 1 for overstaying her 90-day visa.
• French officials, including Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, criticized U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's treatment of Ross, stating their methods were not in line with French standards.
• Ross was reportedly in the process of applying for a green card when detained, and was held in a Louisiana detention facility without access to personal belongings such as her phone and passport.
• Local officials and family members highlighted the psychological impact of the ordeal on Ross, stressing the importance of her being surrounded by loved ones to aid her recovery.