NEW ORLEANS – The French government is taking action to secure the release of Marie-Therese Ross, an 86-year-old widow of a U.S. military veteran, who is currently in immigration custody. Detained earlier this month, Ross’s case has drawn attention to the complexities of immigration enforcement under the Trump administration’s policies.
On April 1, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents apprehended Ross in Alabama for overstaying her 90-day visa, as confirmed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). She is now being held at a federal immigration detention facility in Louisiana.
Ross’s detention highlights a significant shift in immigration enforcement, particularly regarding the spouses of U.S. soldiers and veterans. Under previous policies, these individuals often received leniency, but the current administration’s mass deportation agenda has led to increased vulnerabilities for this demographic.
Rodolphe Sambou, the Consul General of France in New Orleans, has been actively involved in advocating for Ross’s release. He stated that the French government has “fully mobilized” to assist her and has visited her in detention on two occasions. “Given her age, we really want her to get out of this situation as soon as possible,” Sambou emphasized. “We want to get her out of jail.”
In his efforts, Sambou has maintained regular communication with Ross’s family and French officials across various cities, including Washington, D.C., and Paris. His goal is to coordinate Ross’s release and ensure she has access to adequate food and healthcare while in custody. The French government has also reached out directly to DHS regarding her situation.
Marie-Therese Ross married William Ross, an Alabama resident and former U.S. Army captain, in April of the previous year. Sadly, he passed away in January, as noted in his family’s obituary. This tragic turn of events has added to the urgency of her case.
While a lawyer representing Ross in a separate legal matter has not yet commented on her case, the situation remains fluid as her family continues to seek assistance and clarity. The broader implications of Ross’s detention resonate with many who are concerned about the treatment of immigrants and the enforcement of immigration laws in the United States.
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Associated Press writer Samuel Petrequin contributed reporting from France.
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Brook is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
