French Government Seeks Release of 86-Year-Old Widow Detained by ICE

Marie-Therese Ross, the French widow of a U.S. military veteran, has been held in immigration detention since April 1.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 2:18am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A solitary, elderly woman sits alone on a wooden bench in a dimly lit bus station, the warm glow of sunlight casting deep shadows across her face and the surrounding space, conveying a sense of isolation and melancholy.The detention of an 86-year-old French widow of a U.S. military veteran exposes the human toll of the Trump administration's aggressive immigration policies.New Orleans Today

The French government is pressing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to release 86-year-old French widow Marie-Therese Ross from immigration custody after she was detained earlier this month for overstaying her 90-day visa. Ross, the widow of a U.S. military veteran, is being held at a federal immigration detention facility in Louisiana.

Why it matters

This case highlights the Trump administration's aggressive deportation policies that have targeted the spouses of U.S. soldiers and veterans, who previously received more lenient treatment under scrapped policies. The detention of an elderly French widow has drawn the attention of the French government, which is advocating for her release.

The details

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents detained Marie-Therese Ross in Alabama on April 1 after she overstayed her 90-day visa. Ross is now being held at a federal immigration detention facility in Louisiana. The French government, including the Consul General of France in New Orleans, has 'fully mobilized' to push for her release, visiting her in detention and communicating with her family and French officials in Washington, D.C., Atlanta, and Paris.

  • Marie-Therese Ross was detained by ICE on April 1, 2026.
  • Ross's husband, William Ross, a former U.S. Army captain, died in January 2026.

The players

Marie-Therese Ross

An 86-year-old French widow who was detained by ICE after overstaying her 90-day visa.

William Ross

Marie-Therese Ross's late husband, a former captain in the U.S. Army.

Rodolphe Sambou

The Consul General of France in New Orleans, who has visited Marie-Therese Ross in detention and is advocating for her release.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

The federal agency that oversees ICE and is responsible for Marie-Therese Ross's detention.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Given her age, we really want her to get out of this situation as soon as possible. We want to get her out of jail.”

— Rodolphe Sambou, Consul General of France in New Orleans

What’s next

The French government continues to press the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for Marie-Therese Ross's release, and her lawyer is working on her case.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between the Trump administration's aggressive immigration policies and the diplomatic concerns raised by the detention of an elderly French widow of a U.S. military veteran. It underscores the need for a more compassionate and nuanced approach to immigration enforcement, particularly when it comes to the spouses of American service members.