An 86-year-old French woman, Marie-Thérèse, has been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after arriving in the country to reunite with a long-lost love, according to her family and immigration advocates. Her son, who requested anonymity due to privacy concerns, told reporters that his mother’s health is fragile and he fears for her well-being while she remains in custody at a Louisiana facility.
Marie-Thérèse reportedly traveled to the U.S. on a visitor visa but was detained when authorities questioned her immigration status. Sources familiar with the case say she had planned to marry her American partner, whom she had not seen in decades, but complications arose during the visa process. Analysts note that elderly detainees are rare in ICE facilities, raising questions about the agency’s protocols for vulnerable individuals.
ICE officials declined to comment on the specifics of the case but stated that all detainees receive appropriate medical care. Immigration lawyers say cases like Marie-Thérèse’s highlight systemic issues in U.S. immigration enforcement, particularly for elderly applicants. Advocates are calling for her release on humanitarian grounds, while policymakers debate broader reforms to detention practices.