Family of Irish woman released by US immigration worried about ‘lasting traumatic effects'
The family of Irish woman Cliona Ward, who had been detained by US immigration, have said they do to know what 'lasting traumatic effects' there will be following her release.
Her sister, Orla Holladay, said Ms Ward is at home, and for now, 'is in this place of absolute grace'.
'She keeps saying, 'I'm like a new baby in this world', everything just feels so surreal,' Orla wrote in an update to a GoFundMe page that had been set up after Ms Ward was detained on April 21.
While the family was 'completely humbled and grateful for your support and donations' , Ms Holladay said, 'it's hard to know right now what the lasting traumatic effects this will have'.
'Cliona is finally in her own bed and we are all ready for some quiet and reflection,' she said in an earlier update. 'I will leave the GoFundMe open because Cliona wants to be able to say something to you all on an update.
Cliona Ward
News in 90 Seconds - May 9th
'But at this point you can consider it an absolute and beautiful success - each of you have literally helped to save Cliona's life as she knows it and we love you for your humanity and kindness.'
Ms Ward, an Irish-born green card holder and long-time resident of California, was detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at San Francisco Airport after returning from Ireland to see her father.
She was detained in relation to decades old convictions that she understood had been expunged, despite travelling abroad many times over the years without issue.
Her lawyer confirmed that these convictions, which it was revealed had been expunged on a state level and not a federal level, have now been vacated as Ms Ward had not been made aware of their impact on her immigration status.
California Congressman Jimmy Panetta said the case was an example of the Trump administration's 'overreaching deportation policies that can sweep up people like Cliona'.
Ms Ward, who was detained for more than two weeks days in a US immigration detention centre in Seattle, is 'thrilled to be released and she is mortified that she had been detained over decades-old, expunged convictions,' said her immigration lawyer, Michael Mehr.
Speaking to RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Mr Mehr said deportation proceedings had been initiated against Ms Ward upon her return to the US from Ireland, despite her providing documentation that showed her convictions has been expunged.
He said these convictions have now been vacated in the state of California as Ms Ward had not been aware that their expungement had not been recognised at a federal level and she had not been advised of the consequences to her immigration status.
Mr Mehr said she was given 'no idea that after an expungement and dismissal that they would still be recognised for immigration purposes'.
He added that the case is 'unusual' as prior to US President Donald Trump's inauguration such an issue 'might have led to removal proceedings but definitely, it would not have led to her detention'.
He said the current administration has taken a 'zero tolerance policy, that people should be detained and not released even if they are not a security risk'.
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