Widow, 86, back in France after being held by ICE

An 86-year-old French woman detained by U.S. immigration authorities has returned to her homeland, according to the country’s foreign minister. Marie-Thérèse, originally from Nantes, moved to the United States last year after reuniting with her late husband, Billy, an American man who passed away in January. Her son discovered her arrest in Anniston, Alabama, earlier this month, sparking a frantic search for her release.

“Mum is finally free! It’s a total relief,” said her son, as reported by French outlet Ouest-France, following her release from custody.

The French Foreign Minister, Jean-Noel Barrot, confirmed on Friday that Marie-Thérèse had arrived in France, expressing satisfaction with her return. At the time of her departure, she was still wearing her detention outfit, which showed signs of wear and tear, as recounted by her son during their reunion at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport.

“She was in a state of shock and physically and spiritually drained after the ordeal,” he shared, highlighting the emotional toll of her experience.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security stated that a French immigrant with Marie-Thérèse’s name entered the country in June 2025 and overstayed her 90-day visa. Ouest-France previously noted that her son claimed she was waiting for a green card when she was detained. The couple had met in the 1960s, when Billy was stationed at a NATO base in Saint-Nazaire and Marie-Thérèse worked as a secretary. After Billy returned to the U.S., they lost contact, each moving on to other relationships and families.

Reconnecting in 2010, the pair visited one another with their partners, and by 2022, both were widowed. They began a new relationship, described by her son as one of deep affection, akin to that of young lovers. Their marriage took place last year, and Marie-Thérèse relocated to Alabama, seeking a green card to establish residency in the U.S.

However, her immigration status remained unresolved when Billy died suddenly in January. Soon after, a conflict arose between her and one of Billy’s sons, who reportedly cut off her utilities and threatened her. Despite hiring a lawyer, Marie-Thérèse was arrested by ICE just before a hearing, with neighbors alerting her children to the situation.

Under President Donald Trump’s second term, ICE became a key force in the administration’s deportation efforts. Its resources and objectives were expanded to target undocumented immigrants. When asked about the detention methods, Barrot noted on Friday that they “were not necessarily in line with those currently in force and acceptable to us,” though he emphasized that her return to France was the primary concern.