In brief
Marie-Thérèse, an 86-year-old woman from France, moved to the U.S. to reunite with her long-lost love but was detained by ICE due to a visa overstay. Her son is advocating for her release amidst concerns for her health.
An 86-year-old French woman, Marie-Thérèse, finds herself detained at an immigration enforcement centre in Louisiana after moving to the United States last year to reunite with her long-lost love, Billy, an American man she met in the 1960s. Marie-Thérèse was arrested in Anniston, Alabama, earlier in April, sparking concern from her family, particularly her son, who described the situation as alarming when they handcuffed her 'like she was a dangerous criminal.' According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, an 'illegal alien from France' matching Marie-Thérèse’s name entered the U.S. in June 2025 and overstayed her 90-day visa. However, her son argues she was in the process of securing a green card when detained. Marie-Thérèse's journey took her from Nantes to the U.S. following a rekindled romance with Billy, who returned to America in 1966. Despite life taking them in separate directions—both marrying and raising families—the pair reconnected in 2010 and grew close, getting married last year. Tragedy struck when Billy died unexpectedly in January, leaving Marie-Thérèse's immigration status uncertain. Shortly after his death, a dispute over his inheritance with his son led to further complications, culminating in Marie-Thérèse’s arrest by ICE just before a scheduled hearing with her lawyer. Concern for Marie-Thérèse’s health is mounting; she suffers from heart and back conditions. Her son emphasizes the urgency of her situation, expressing a strong desire to secure her release and return to France, stating that she can't survive in detention for long. The French foreign ministry is involved in supporting her case as the situation unfolds, which highlights the complexities and challenges faced by individuals navigating immigration law under strained circumstances.
