85-year-old widow returns to France after ICE detention

PARIS (AP) — French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced that Marie-Thérèse Ross, an 85-year-old French widow of an American military veteran, returned to France after being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Ross was taken into custody in Alabama on April 1 for overstaying her 90-day visa, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. "She returned to France this morning, this is a satisfaction for us," Barrot stated during a visit to Montpellier on Friday.

Barrot did not provide specific comments on Ross's case but expressed concerns regarding ICE's methods, stating they are "not in line" with French standards and "not acceptable to us." He referenced "violence that raised our concerns," without further elaboration. Ross was held at a federal immigration detention facility in Louisiana and was among many targeted by the Trump administration's mass deportation agenda, which affected spouses of U.S. soldiers and veterans who previously received leniency under earlier policies. Ross married Alabama resident William Ross in April last year; he passed away in January, as noted in his family’s obituary.

Power Read: The return of Marie-Thérèse Ross to France highlights the diplomatic tensions surrounding U.S. immigration enforcement practices, particularly as they pertain to foreign nationals connected to U.S. military personnel. France's Foreign Minister's remarks suggest a growing unease with U.S. policies that may not align with European standards, potentially straining bilateral relations. The incident underscores the vulnerability of individuals caught in the crosshairs of immigration enforcement, particularly those with ties to the military, and raises questions about the future of such policies under the current U.S. administration.

What to watch: Monitor any potential diplomatic discussions between France and the U.S. regarding immigration policies and enforcement practices in the coming weeks.