French Widow, 86, Handcuffed at Wrists and Ankles by ICE After US Veteran Husband's Death
An 86-year-old French widow, identified as Marie-Thérèse Helene Ross, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Alabama shortly after the death of her US veteran husband. The elderly woman was allegedly handcuffed on her wrists and ankles and placed into an overcrowded detention center, sparking outrage and concern from her family and the French consulate.
Details of the Arrest and Immigration Status
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that Ross was considered an 'illegal alien.' According to their records, she last entered the United States in June 2025 under the Visa Waiver Program, which allows a 90-day stay. However, seven months later, she remained in the country illegally. Ross had moved to the US in 2025 after reconnecting with her 'sweetheart' Billy, a US soldier she met in France during the 1950s. Billy passed away in January, before her green card application to live with him had been processed.
Family Concerns and Health Issues
Following her arrest on April 1, Ross was transferred to a facility in Louisiana. Her family has expressed deep concern for her welfare, citing her heart and back problems. Her son told French media, 'They handcuffed her hands and feet like she was a dangerous criminal. Our priority is to get her out of this detention centre and repatriate her to France. Given her health, she won’t last a month in such conditions of detention.'
Humanitarian Appeals and DHS Response
Her family and the French government are fighting for her release on humanitarian grounds. However, the DHS has reiterated its stance, encouraging people to self-deport. In a statement, they said, 'The United States is offering illegal aliens $2,600 and a free flight to self-deport now. We encourage every person here illegally to take advantage of this offer and reserve the chance to come back to the U.S., the right legal way to live the American dream. If not, you will be arrested and deported without a chance to return.'
Similar Cases of ICE Arrests
This incident is not isolated. Other foreign nationals married to US citizens have faced similar arrests by ICE. For example, Seamus Culleton, an Irish man from County Kilkenny, had lived in the US for over 20 years when he was arrested last September. He has no criminal record, runs a successful business in Boston, and is married to a US citizen with a work permit and pending green card application. Despite this, he was detained and has spent five months in an ICE facility in El Paso, Texas.
Culleton described his experience as 'an absolute torture, psychological and physical torture.' He shared a 16x35-foot tent with 72 other people and has lost weight due to harsh conditions. He expressed desperation, saying, 'I just want to get back to my wife. We’re so desperate to start a family.'
Ongoing Developments and Public Reaction
The case of Marie-Thérèse Ross has drawn attention to the treatment of elderly and vulnerable individuals in immigration enforcement. As her family continues to advocate for her release, the French consulate remains involved, highlighting international diplomatic concerns. The broader pattern of ICE arrests affecting long-term residents with family ties in the US raises questions about immigration policies and their humanitarian impact.
Public and media scrutiny is increasing, with calls for reform and more compassionate approaches in such cases. The outcomes of these efforts could influence future immigration enforcement practices and the handling of similar situations involving elderly or health-compromised individuals.
