France Demands Release of Elderly Widow Held by US Immigration Authorities
The French government has launched a diplomatic effort to secure the release of an 86-year-old French widow who is currently detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Alabama. Marie-Therese Ross was taken into custody on April 1st after overstaying her 90-day visa, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Diplomatic Pressure Mounts Over Detention Case
Rodolphe Sambou, the consul general of France in New Orleans, confirmed that French officials have "fully mobilized" to advocate for Ross's release from the federal immigration detention facility in Louisiana where she is being held. Sambou has personally visited Ross twice during her detention and expressed deep concern about her welfare given her advanced age.
"Given her age, we really want her to get out of this situation as soon as possible," Sambou told the Associated Press. "We want to get her out of jail."
Background of the Detained Widow
Marie-Therese Ross married Alabama resident William Ross in April of last year, according to Calhoun county marriage records. Her husband, a former captain in the US army, passed away in January. Media reports indicate Ross traveled to the United States to reconnect with an old flame from decades past, which ultimately led to their marriage.
The case highlights the Trump administration's continued mass deportation agenda, which has resulted in increased detentions of individuals who previously received greater leniency under earlier policies. Ross represents one of thousands targeted by these stricter immigration enforcement measures.
French Government's Coordinated Response
Sambou revealed that French officials have been:
- Communicating frequently with Ross's family members
- Coordinating with French officials in Washington DC, Atlanta, and Paris
- Contacting DHS directly about her case
- Working to ensure she has access to adequate food and healthcare
The consul general declined to comment on Ross's specific legal status or other details of her immigration case. A lawyer representing Ross in a separate legal matter did not immediately respond to requests for comment, and her family members have also remained silent on the situation.
Broader Immigration Policy Context
This detention occurs against the backdrop of significant changes to US immigration enforcement under the Trump administration. Policies that once provided greater protection to spouses of military veterans have been systematically dismantled, leading to increased detentions of individuals who might have previously qualified for exemptions or leniency.
The French government's intervention underscores the international dimensions of US immigration policy and the human impact of enforcement decisions on elderly individuals and their families across borders.
