French Widow Marie-Thérèse Ross-Mahé, 85, Released by ICE After International Pressure
Marie-Thérèse Ross-Mahé, an 85-year-old French widow, was released by ICE and returned to France after being detained in Alabama. France's foreign minister said there were acts of violence in her case that concerned the French government.
Marie-Thérèse Ross-Mahé, an 85-year-old French widow, has been released by U.S. immigration authorities and returned to France after a detention that sparked international concern. French Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced her return to reporters Friday morning, saying "there were acts of violence" in her case.
Ross-Mahé came to America last year after reconnecting with and marrying a former U.S. soldier. She was arrested amid an inheritance dispute and ended up in ICE detention. At one point, she was held at a detention center hundreds of miles away in Louisiana, where her three children back in France couldn't reach her.
The case prompted French officials in Washington D.C., Atlanta, and Paris to coordinate efforts for her release. They worked to ensure she had access to proper food and healthcare while detained. Her family and French officials had been communicating frequently about her situation.
The detention of the elderly woman created diplomatic friction between France and the United States, with French authorities expressing serious concerns about her treatment.
This case shows how immigration enforcement can affect elderly people and create diplomatic tensions between countries. It highlights concerns about how detained immigrants are treated, especially vulnerable populations like the elderly.
Details about the "acts of violence" mentioned by France's foreign minister may emerge as diplomatic discussions continue.
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