Latest news with #OrlaHolladay
Irish Times
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
Cliona Ward: Irish woman held in US detention centre thanks ‘warrior' sister
Cliona Ward , who was detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for almost three weeks after returning from a visit to Ireland, has called her sister's efforts to get her out of jail 'warrior' like. Ms Ward (54), a green-card holder, who has been living legally in the United States for about 30 years, first ran into legal trouble in March after returning to the US from a trip to Ireland to visit her ill father in Youghal, Co Cork. The Irish woman, 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. She was facing deportation by immigration officials. Her prior criminal record includes six cases - two felonies for possession of drugs in December 2007 and January 2008, and four misdemeanors. READ MORE She and her sister Orla Holladay, who also lives in the US, said her convictions were expunged, prompting customs to temporarily release her to obtain the appropriate documentation to prove her records had been cleared in California. [ US immigration judge rules Palestinian Columbia student Khalil can be deported Opens in new window ] When she went to plead her case at San Francisco airport to customs on April 21st and present proof of her expungement, she was detained again and told to argue her case in front of an immigration judge. The expungement had been carried out at a state, not federal, level. Ms Ward was released by a court in Seattle on May 7th after her original convictions were formally vacated so that they would be recognised at a federal level. In her first comments since her release, on a GoFundMe page set up by her sister during her detention, Ms Ward called Ms Holladay, 'my warrior, defender of justice. Could this be a calling for you?' While thanking Ms Holladay she also acknowledged the public's help, support and financial donations. Almost $50,000 was raised. 'I cannot thank you enough for what you did for me and now continue to fight for justice served,' Ms Ward said. [ Protest held as US judge arrested and charged with obstructing immigration operation Opens in new window ] 'Everyone should have the opportunity to prove their innocence. I love you so much my warrior, my defender, my sister, my anam cara. There is truly no one in the world like you and I am truly blessed!' Ms Ward said those who are being detained by ICE 'are not informed on how to get out and they are so afraid to speak up for the basic human rights ... like how to find council or interpreter services'. 'They [officials] give them detention handbooks in English and Spanish only. All done on purpose to keep them detained and deportable.' Ms Holladay, who is now looking after her sister following the release of her sister from jail, said previously Ms Ward had PTSD after her release.
BreakingNews.ie
26-05-2025
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Irish woman who was detained in the US thanks her sister for her 'warrior' like support
Cliona Ward, who was detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for almost three weeks after returning from a visit to Ireland, has called her sister's efforts to get her out of jail as 'warrior'like. 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 ill father in Youghal, Co Cork. 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. She was facing deportation by immigration officials. 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, prompting customs to temporarily release her to obtain the appropriate documentation to prove that her records had been cleared in California. Advertisement When she went to plead her case at San Francisco airport to customs on April 21st and present proof of her expungement, she was detained again and told to argue her case in front of an immigration judge. The expungement had been carried out at a state not federal level. Ms Ward was released by a court in Seattle on May 7th after her original convictions were formally vacated so that they would be recognised at a federal level. Her case has garnered huge media attention both here and in the US. Advertisement In her first comments since her release, on the gofundme page, Cliona's Hope: A Mother's Fight for Freedom Ms Ward called her sister, 'My warrior, defender of justice. Could this be a calling for you?' While thanking Ms Holladay she also acknowledged the public's help, support and financial donations. Almost $50,000 was raised. 'I cannot thank you enough for what you did for me and now continue to fight for justice served,' Ms Ward continued. 'Everyone should have the opportunity to prove their innocence. I love you so much my warrior, my defender, my sister, my anam cara. There is truly no one in the world like you, and I am truly blessed!' Advertisement Ms Ward claimed that those who are being detained by ICE 'are not informed on how to get out, and they are so afraid to speak up for the basic human how to find council or interpreter services... 'They(officials) give them detention handbooks in English and Spanish only. All done on purpose to keep them detained and deportable.' Ms Holladay who is now looking after her sister following the release of her sister from jail revealed that 'Life is not normal for us. Cliona is in (suffering from) PTSD. She spent the night vomiting , purging the food she had been fed and because they don't ever turn the lights off in the detention center (and) when she closes her eyes all she sees is fluorescent lights.' Democrat California Congressman Jimmy Panetta lent his support for her release. He tweeted on X: 'Cliona Ward is released and that's what happens when we fight for transparency, due process and justice. We worked this case from Santa Cruz to DC…and from Seattle to Ireland'.
Irish Times
10-05-2025
- Irish Times
Cliona Ward: Irish woman detained by US immigration enforcement suffering from PTSD, sister says
Cliona Ward, the Irish woman detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for almost three weeks after returning from a visit to Ireland, is suffering with post-traumatic stress disorder following her release, her sister has said. Ms Ward (54), a green-card holder who has been living legally in the United States for about 30 years, first ran into legal trouble in March after arriving back from a trip to visit her ill father in Youghal, Co Cork . 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. She was facing deportation by immigration officials. Her prior criminal record includes six cases: two felonies for possession of drugs in December 2007 and January 2008, and four misdemeanours. READ MORE Born in Dublin , she and her sister Orla Holladay, who also lives in the US, claimed her convictions were expunged, 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 to customs on April 21st and present proof of her expungement, she was detained again and told to argue her case in front of an immigration judge. The expungement had been carried out at a state not federal level. Ms Ward was released by a court in Seattle last Wednesday after her original convictions were formally vacated so that they would be recognised at a federal level. Her case has garnered huge media attention both in Ireland and in the US. But her sister, Ms Holladay, in an update on the GoFundMe page set up for her case, explained that 'life is not normal for us. Cliona is in (suffering from) PTSD'. Ms Holladay, who is now looking after her, sister continued: 'She spent the night vomiting, purging the food she had been fed, and because they don't ever turn the lights off in the detention centre, when she closes her eyes all she sees is fluorescent lights.' She added that some of the donations left in the almost €50,000 raised will be used to help other women being held in the detention centre where Ms Ward was held. 'She [Ms Ward] desperately wants to help the other women that were in the centre with her and we have already started the campaign to help. Know that your donations will allow Cliona some time to heal. To all of you who have sent a personal message know that I, we, will try to respond and we are so grateful. In love and solidarity – Orla and Cliona.' Democrat California Congressman Jimmy Panetta lent his support for her release. He tweeted on X: 'Cliona Ward is released and that's what happens when we fight for transparency, due process and justice. We worked this case from Santa Cruz to DC… and from Seattle to Ireland.'
BreakingNews.ie
10-05-2025
- BreakingNews.ie
Cliona Ward suffering from PTSD after release from US detention centre, her sister claims
Cliona Ward, who was detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for almost three weeks after returning from a visit to Ireland, is suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder following her release, her sister claims. 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 ill father in Youghal, Co Cork. 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. She was facing deportation by immigration officials. 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, 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 to customs on April 21st and present proof of her expungement, she was detained again and told to argue her case in front of an immigration judge. The expungement had been carried out at a state, not federal level. Advertisement Ms Ward was released by a court in Seattle last Wednesday after her original convictions were formally vacated so that they would be recognised at a federal level. Her case has garnered huge media attention both here and in the US. But her sister, Ms Holladay, in an update on the GoFundMe page, Cliona's Hope: A Mother's Fight for Freedom, explained that 'life is not normal for us. Cliona is in (suffering from) PTSD.' Ms Holladay, who is now looking after her sister, continued: 'She spent the night vomiting, purging the food she had been fed, and because they don't ever turn the lights off in the detention centre when she closes her eyes, all she sees is fluorescent lights.' Advertisement She added that some of the donations left in the almost €50,000 raised will be used to help other women being held in the detention centre where Ms Ward was held. 'She (Ms Ward) desperately wants to help the other women that were in the centre with her and we have already started the campaign to help. Know that your donations will allow Cliona some time to heal. To all of you who have sent a personal message know that I, we, will try to respond, and we are so grateful. In love and solidarity - Orla and Cliona.' Democrat California Congressman Jimmy Panetta lent his support for her release. He tweeted on X: 'Cliona Ward is released and that's what happens when we fight for transparency, due process and justice. We worked this case from Santa Cruz to DC…and from Seattle to Ireland'.
The Guardian
08-05-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Irish woman detained by US immigration released after 17 days in custody
An Irish woman who was detained by US immigration authorities because of a criminal record dating back almost 20 years has been released after 17 days in custody. Cliona Ward, 54, who has lived legally in the US for decades, emerged on Wednesday from an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) facility in Tacoma, Washington state. After visiting her sick father in Ireland she had been detained at San Francisco airport on 21 April, causing an outcry in Ireland and the US and a campaign for her release. Last week a California judge agreed to an application for the original convictions to be formally overturned in a manner that would be recognised at a federal level, paving the way for her release, according to Ward's lawyers. The incarceration left Ward traumatised but she was thankful for the support and she is now recuperating, her sister, Orla Holladay, wrote on a page. 'Cliona is finally in her own bed and we are all ready for some quiet and reflection.' Ward had requested food before returning home, Holladay wrote. 'The first thing she did was jump on the bed and hug the pillows. She is in shock; filled with emotions, traumatized, full of gratitude, fear for the women she left behind.' Erin Hall, a Washington-based attorney who represented Ward, said: 'We are all extremely happy.' Ward is originally from Dublin and moved as a child to the US where she obtained a green card, attended the University of California, Santa Cruz, now works for a non-profit, pays taxes and cares for a chronically ill son who is a US citizen, according to Holladay. A criminal record for drug possession and misdemeanours from 2007 and 2008 was expunged at state level but not federal, which put her in the crosshairs of Donald Trump's crackdown on documented as well as undocumented immigrants. Earlier this year Ward accompanied her stepmother to Ireland to visit her father, who has dementia, and upon returning to the US was stopped at Seattle airport on 19 March and held for three days. She was released to obtain documentation about the partially expunged convictions and presented them to Ice officials at San Francisco airport on 21 April, after which she was again detained, said Holladay. Ireland's taoiseach, Micheál Martin, and the US representative Jimmy Panetta, a Democrat from California, spoke out about the case. Holladay thanked supporters. '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.' Sign up to First Thing Our US morning briefing breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion Trump won the 2024 election on the promise of 'the largest deportation operation in American history', but few anticipated a crackdown on documented immigrants, including visa and green-card holders and citizens who have the status by birth or naturalisation, or tourists. Recent high-profile cases include a Canadian, Jasmine Mooney, who was detained for two weeks, sometimes in freezing cells, because of an issue with her work visa. Jessica Brösche, a German tourist, spent more than six weeks in detention, including eight days in solitary confinement, reportedly because US authorities suspected she planned to work as a tattoo artist without a work visa. A visa mix-up led to Rebecca Burke, a British graphic artist, being interrogated and detained for three weeks, an ordeal that prompted her to caution other tourists to avoid travelling to the US. The number of overseas visitors to the US dropped by 11.6% in March compared with the previous year, including a 17.2% decline in people traveling from western Europe, according to US government data.
