French woman, 86, held by ICE after moving to US to reunite with long-lost love

April 14, 2026

An 86-year-old French woman is being held in an ICE detention facility in Louisiana after reuniting with and marrying an American veteran she had dated in the 1960s. After her husband's sudden death in January, she became embroiled in an inheritance dispute with his son, who allegedly harassed her by cutting off utilities. She was arrested by immigration authorities just before a court hearing regarding the dispute, despite having applied for permanent residency.

Who is affected

Marie-Thérèse, the 86-year-old French woman being detained
Marie-Thérèse's son in France
Billy (deceased), Marie-Thérèse's American husband
Billy's son, involved in the inheritance dispute
The French foreign ministry/consular officials

What action is being taken

Marie-Thérèse is being detained at an ICE detention center in Louisiana
The French foreign ministry is involved in the case
Marie-Thérèse is receiving consular visits
ICE is carrying out the Trump administration's mass deportation initiative

Why it matters

This case highlights the intersection of immigration enforcement with vulnerable populations, showing how an elderly woman legally pursuing permanent residency can become caught in the deportation system. It illustrates the expanded role of ICE under the current administration and raises questions about the treatment of elderly detainees with health conditions. The situation also demonstrates how family disputes following a death can have severe immigration consequences for surviving spouses who are not yet citizens.

What's next

The family's stated priority is to secure Marie-Thérèse's release from the detention center and repatriate her to France due to health concerns.

Read full article from source: BBC