The French government is urging the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to release an 86-year-old French widow of a U.S. military veteran from immigration detention. She was detained earlier this month.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents took Marie-Therese Ross into custody in Alabama on April 1 after she overstayed her 90-day visa. She is now being held at a federal immigration detention facility in Louisiana.
Ross is among thousands of people affected by the Trump administration’s mass deportation efforts. These policies have led to the detention of spouses of U.S. soldiers and veterans, who previously received more lenient treatment under rules later rescinded during Donald Trump’s second term.
Rodolphe Sambou, the French consul general in New Orleans, told the Associated Press that the French government is “fully mobilized” to secure her release. He has visited her in detention twice.
“Given her age, we really want her to get out of this situation as soon as possible,” Sambou said. “We want to get her out of jail.”
Sambou added that he is in frequent contact with Ross’s family and French officials in Washington, D.C., Atlanta, and Paris to coordinate her release and ensure she has adequate food and healthcare. The French government has also been in touch with DHS.
He declined to discuss her legal status or other case details.
According to Calhoun County marriage records, Ross married Alabama resident William Ross in April of last year. An obituary from his family states that William Ross, a former U.S. Army captain, passed away in January.
A lawyer representing Ross in a separate legal matter did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Her family also did not respond.
Multiple media reports indicate that Ross had traveled to the U.S. to reconnect with an old flame from decades ago, and the two later married.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about the case of the 86yearold French widow held by ICE written in a natural conversational tone
Basic Questions Who What and Why
1 Who is this 86yearold French widow
Her name is Marie Ferro She is an elderly woman who had been living in the US for decades
2 What exactly happened Why was she detained
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained her due to an old immigration violation Reports indicate she overstayed a visa many years ago Despite her age lack of criminal record and longterm community ties ICE took her into custody for potential deportation
3 Why is France involved
France is involved because she is a French citizen The French government through its embassy and consular services has a duty to protect its citizens abroad They have formally called for her release on humanitarian grounds citing her age and health
4 Where is she being held
She was reportedly held in an ICE detention facility These are not typical prisons but are secure facilities designed to hold individuals during immigration proceedings
Questions About the Legal and Immigration Process
5 Can ICE really detain an 86yearold
Yes legally ICE has the authority to detain any individual they find to be in the US without legal status regardless of age However ICE also has guidelines for discretion focusing on threats to public safety and national security which makes this case controversial
6 What does deportation mean in her case
Deportation is the formal process of removing a noncitizen from the United States for violating immigration law In her case it would mean being sent back to France
7 Hasnt she been here for decades Why is this coming up now
This is a common question Immigration cases can sometimes go unnoticed for years until they are flagged by a routine check or as part of broader enforcement operations An old order of removal may have been recently rediscovered
8 What are humanitarian grounds
Humanitarian grounds refer to reasons for showing compassion and mercy such as a person
