Latest news with #ErinHall
The Irish Sun
08-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
Latest update as ‘traumatised' Irish mum based in US detained under new rules ‘in shock' at immigration facility release
THE Irish mum who was detained in a US immigration facility after coming back from Ireland has been released. Cliona Ward was released from the facility in Advertisement 2 Cliona has been officially released Credit: Supplied 2 She was first detained on April 21 Credit: GoFundMe The decision was made only a few hours after a judge accepted an application to terminate the Cliona's attorney Erin Hall confirmed the news to Sharing an update on the "We walked into the room and the first thing she did was jump on the bed and hug the pillows. Advertisement READ MORE IN NEWS "She is in shock; filled with emotions, traumatised, full of gratitude, fear for the women she left behind." The 54-year-old, a green card holder and a long-time resident of Santa Cruz, Cliona, who is originally from At the time, her green card was up to date, and not expiring until 2033. Advertisement Most read in Irish News She was held over a small number of 20-year-old Cliona's other sister, Tracey, who lives in Advertisement She said: "I was trying to maintain hope but I know how the system works over there so I was very fearful for her. I'm just completely relieved. "The outpouring of love worldwide that we've received has been absolutely unbelievable." Following the bombshell Washington State, Erin Hall, told how an application had been made in California for the original convictions to be formally vacated in a manner which would be recognised at a federal level. A California judge agreed to the application which allowed Ms Hall to subsequently file a motion to terminate the immigration proceedings. Advertisement Yesterday, a judge at the Tacoma Immigration Court signed an order ending the removal proceedings.
BreakingNews.ie
07-05-2025
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Cliona Ward, Irish green card holder held in US detention centre, to be released
An Irish woman detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) last month after returning from a visit to Ireland to see her ill father is to be released following a court appearance earlier today. Cliona Ward, 54, a green-card holder, who has been living legally there for around 30 years, first ran into legal trouble in March after arriving back in the US from a trip to Ireland to visit her father in Youghal, Co Cork who is living with dementia. Advertisement Ms Ward, whose green card is valid until 2033, was detained and questioned by customs at the San Francisco airport on March 19th over her past criminal record. Her prior criminal record includes six cases - two felonies for possession of drugs in December 2007 and January 2008, and four misdemeanours. She and her sister Orla Holladay, who also lives in the US, claimed her convictions were expunged however, prompting customs to temporarily release her to obtain the appropriate documentation to prove that her records had been cleared in California. When she went to plead her case at San Francisco airport Customs on April 21st and present proof of her expungement, she was detained once more and told to argue her case in front of an immigration judge. Advertisement On Wednesday, Ms Ward's Washington state-based attorney Erin Hall, said that an application was made in California on Friday last for the original convictions to be formally vacated in a manner that would be recognised at a federal level. A California judge agreed to the application, which allowed Ms Hall to subsequently file a motion to terminate the immigration proceedings. A GoFundme page has been set up by her sister, Orla to cover legal costs. Ms Ward, a mother of one son, appeared in court in Seattle at 8.30 am local time (Irish time 4.30 pm) and in an update on the fundraising page, Cliona's Hope: A Mother's Fight for Freedom, Ms Hollady said that the charity group her sister works with are organising protests for her 'preliminary court hearing'. Advertisement Ms Ward is a caregiver for her son Malachi, who is an 'American citizen, and chronically ill. On Wednesday, a judge at the Tacoma Immigration Court signed an order ending the removal proceedings against Ms Ward. Another sister of Ms Ward, Tracey Ward told RTÉ that the development is a "huge, huge relief." "I was trying to maintain hope today but I know how the system works over there so I was very fearful for her. I'm just completely relieved," she said. "The outpouring of love worldwide that we've received has been absolutely unbelievable.' Democrat California Representatives Jimmy who has supported and been calling for Ms Ward's release said in a statement on social media: "I'm proud to share that Cliona Ward, a 30-year legal permanent resident of Santa Cruz County, will be released after being detained and threatened with deportation.'
