AN IRISH woman living in the United States for more than three decades has been left reeling after being detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Dubliner Cliona Ward’s detention comes amid a major immigration crackdown under the Trump administration.
The 54-year-old, who has lived legally in Santa Cruz, California, recently brought her stepmother to Ireland to visit her ill father.
And she was stunned to be detained by US Customs and Border Protection on her return to America over a criminal record from almost 20 years ago that was dismissed.
Worried sister Orla Holladay tonight told how Cliona was held by US customs and border officials following an administrative meeting to present documents related to a 20-year-old expunged criminal conviction.
Ms Holladay, who also lives in the US, insisted her sister has a valid green card and had been living legally in Santa Cruz, California.
She maintained her sister did “everything she was supposed to do in order to make reparations for that criminal conviction, and has been gainfully employed, paying taxes, and building a family in Santa Cruz”.
And Ms Holladay revealed Cliona has a son who is chronically ill and depends on her for caregiving.
Ms Ward is being detained at the Northwest Detention Centre in Tacoma in Washington State.
It is one of the largest detention centres in the United States with a capacity of over 1,500 people.
Amid calls for Cliona’s release, Taoiseach Micheal Martin tonight admitted he was “concerned” about the case.
He said: “Our consular officials and consulate general in San Francisco will be supporting and facilitating Cliona and the family to get this issue resolved.
‘WE WILL BE PURSUING IT’
“When issues like this arise from time to time, our officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs engage with a view to getting the issues resolved.
“Our advice is consistent in terms of where people have green cards or citizenship rights there shouldn’t be an issue, so we will be pursuing it on a bilateral basis to make sure that those who are legitimately entitled to be in the US are free from any challenges or difficulties of this kind.”
Mr Martin told how there were “reports of further incidents like this”, adding that it is “something we will take up with the US on a bilateral basis”.
FAMILY’S FEARS
Sister Orla has set up a GoFundMe to help the family to secure the funds to retain a lawyer who can help them “through this nightmare.”
She said: “She did everything she was supposed to do in order to make reparations for that criminal conviction, and has been gainfully employed, paying taxes and building a life in Santa Cruz.
“She has a son who is chronically ill who depends on her for care-giving.
“Cliona is a very private and gentle person, who wants nothing more than to return to her quiet life.”
She continued: “I was able to talk with Cliona from the detention center.
‘SHE IS TERRIFIED’
“She is terrified; scared of getting lost in the system but when I told her of all the people who are reaching out in her support and donating to her case she cried tears of relief: your support makes a difference, not just financially but emotionally and spiritually.
“That was one thing she said to me: ‘Please don’t let me get lost.’”
