France Urges US to Release 86-Year-Old Widow Detained by ICE in Alabama
The French government is actively pressing the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to secure the release of an 86-year-old French widow from immigration custody after she was detained earlier this month. Marie-Therese Ross was taken into custody by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Alabama on April 1, following an overstay of her 90-day visa, as confirmed by DHS officials.
Ross is currently being held at a federal immigration detention facility in Louisiana, raising significant concerns about her well-being due to her advanced age. This case highlights the broader implications of the Trump administration's mass deportation agenda, which has led to the detention of spouses of US soldiers and military veterans, groups that previously benefited from greater leniency under policies dismantled during Donald Trump's second term.
French Diplomatic Efforts Intensify
Rodolphe Sambou, the consul general of France in New Orleans, has stated that the French government is fully mobilized in its efforts to advocate for Ross's release. Sambou has personally visited her twice in detention and emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting, Given her age, we really want her to get out of this situation as soon as possible. We want to get her out of jail.
Sambou has been in frequent communication with Ross's family and French officials across Washington DC, Atlanta, and Paris to coordinate her release and ensure she receives adequate food and healthcare. The French government has also formally contacted DHS to address the matter, though Sambou declined to comment on specific legal details or her current status.
Background and Personal Details
Marie-Therese Ross married Alabama resident William Ross in April of last year, as documented by Calhoun county marriage records. William Ross, a former captain in the US army, passed away in January, according to his family's obituary. Media reports suggest that Ross traveled to the US to reconnect with an old flame from decades past, leading to their marriage.
A lawyer representing Ross in a separate legal matter did not respond to requests for comment, and her family has also remained silent on the issue. This case underscores the complexities and human impacts of US immigration enforcement, particularly for elderly individuals caught in legal crossfires.
The French government's intervention reflects ongoing diplomatic tensions and concerns over humanitarian treatment in immigration cases, as thousands face similar detentions under current policies.
