Utah Family Seeks Answers After ICE Detains Sister

Everlee Wihongi was detained by ICE at the Los Angeles Airport after a family trip to New Zealand, leaving her relatives confused and concerned.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 1:03am

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A dimly lit, cinematic painting of a lone figure sitting in a sterile, government-issued waiting room chair, bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conveying a sense of isolation and uncertainty.As immigration enforcement actions continue to sow confusion and distress, one family's vacation nightmare exposes the human toll of ICE's opaque detention practices.Salt Lake City Today

A Utah family's vacation to New Zealand to celebrate an uncle's 80th birthday ended with one of the family members, Everlee Wihongi, being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the Los Angeles Airport upon their return. The family says they still don't know why Everlee was detained, and she was pressured to sign paperwork without being allowed to fully read it.

Why it matters

This case highlights the growing concerns around ICE's crackdown on immigration, with individuals being detained for days or weeks without understanding the reasons. The Wihongi family's experience underscores the confusion and frustration that many families face when their loved ones are suddenly detained by immigration authorities.

The details

According to the Wihongi family, Everlee Wihongi, who legally immigrated to the U.S. from New Zealand years ago, was detained by ICE at the Los Angeles Airport on April 10 after the family's trip to New Zealand. Her siblings, Courtney and Avaiiki Wihongi, say Everlee was kept in a room for more than 7 hours and pressured to sign paperwork that she wasn't allowed to fully read.

  • Everlee Wihongi was detained by ICE at the Los Angeles Airport on April 10, 2026.
  • A hearing for Everlee's case is scheduled for April 28, 2026.

The players

Everlee Wihongi

A member of the Utah-based Wihongi family who was detained by ICE at the Los Angeles Airport after a family trip to New Zealand.

Courtney Wihongi

Everlee's sibling who is seeking answers and advocating for her release.

Avaiiki Wihongi

Everlee's sibling who is also seeking answers and advocating for her release.

Jonathan Shaw

An immigration attorney who says cases like Everlee's are becoming more common as ICE cracks down on immigration.

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What they’re saying

“Still to this day about a week later no we still don't know. I just got off the phone with her and she doesn't know either. She's very confused.”

— Avaiiki Wihongi, Everlee's sibling

“She tried to read it again, he ripped it out of her hands and said, 'Are you going to be difficult?'”

— Avaiiki Wihongi, Everlee's sibling

“With immigration there is such a backlog that often times things like this start to seem normal.”

— Jonathan Shaw, Immigration attorney

What’s next

A hearing for Everlee Wihongi's case is scheduled for April 28, 2026, where the family hopes to get more answers and secure her release.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing concerns around ICE's aggressive immigration enforcement tactics, which can lead to the detention of individuals without clear explanation or due process. The Wihongi family's experience underscores the need for greater transparency and accountability within the immigration system.