Marie-Thérèse, an 86-year-old French woman, who moved to the US last year to reconnect with her long-lost love, is currently detained at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Louisiana.
Her son sounded the alarm after her arrest in Anniston, Alabama, earlier this month, describing how his mother was treated like a criminal. “They handcuffed her hands and feet like she was a dangerous criminal,” he told French media outlet Ouest-France.
The US Department of Homeland Security has stated that Marie-Thérèse entered the country in June 2025 on a 90-day visa, which has since expired. However, her son insists she was awaiting a green card.
Marie-Thérèse relocated to the US after marrying American Billy, whom she first met in the 1960s when he was stationed at a NATO base in France. After both lost touch and married others, they reconnected in 2010. By 2022, both were widowed and rekindled their love, marrying last year before her move to Alabama.
Tragically, Billy passed away suddenly in January, leaving Marie-Thérèse's immigration status in limbo. Following his death, a dispute arose over inheritance with his son, leading to alleged threats against her.
Marie-Thérèse's lawyer was scheduled to appear in court for her immigration hearing when she was detained by ICE. Although there is no evidence linking her arrest to her stepson’s reports, her family is alarmed by her situation.
The French foreign ministry has become involved, with consular support provided to her. Marie-Thérèse’s son has launched an appeal for her release, citing concerns over her health issues, stating, Our priority is to get her out of this detention center and repatriate her to France. Given her health, she won't last a month in such conditions of detention.”
Since the beginning of Donald Trump's second term, ICE has been central to the administration's immigration enforcement policies, affecting many undocumented immigrants. Marie-Thérèse's son expressed disbelief over their circumstances, likening it to a bad film, saying, Every morning I wake up and tell myself none of it is true, that it was just a nightmare.
