French government seeking release of French widow, 86, detained by ICE

Published: Thursday, April 16, 2026 at 12:46 am

French Government Demands Release of Detained Widow

The French government is actively seeking the release of an 86-year-old French widow currently held in U.S. immigration custody. The woman, Marie-Therese Ross, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on April 1st in Alabama after overstaying her 90-day visa. She is now being held at a federal immigration detention facility in Louisiana.

Rodolphe Sambou, the French consul general in New Orleans, confirmed that the French government is fully engaged in efforts to secure her release. He has personally visited Ross in detention twice and is in frequent communication with her family, as well as French officials in Washington, Atlanta, and Paris. The French government has also contacted the Department of Homeland Security. Sambou emphasized the urgency of the situation, citing Ross's advanced age and the desire to ensure she receives adequate food and healthcare. He declined to comment on the specifics of her legal status.

Ross married William Ross, a resident of Alabama, last April. Her husband, a former U.S. Army captain, passed away in January. The detention of Ross is part of a broader trend of increased immigration enforcement under the Trump administration, which has led to the detention of spouses of U.S. troops and military veterans.

BNN's Perspective:

The situation highlights the complexities of immigration enforcement and the potential for unintended consequences. While upholding immigration laws is crucial, the detention of an elderly widow, particularly one who was married to a veteran, raises questions about the balance between security and compassion. A swift resolution that considers her age and circumstances would be a reasonable and humane approach.

Keywords: French widow, ICE, detention, immigration, visa, release, Homeland Security, Rodolphe Sambou, France, U.S. Army, veteran, deportation, Marie-Therese Ross, Alabama, Louisiana

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