Cliona Ward: “Overwhelmed with Gratitude” Following Her Release from U.S. Facility, Sister Reveals

Cliona Ward, an Irish woman previously held in a U.S. immigration facility, has been released, according to her lawyer.

Ms. Ward was freed from the Tacoma Detention Center in Washington State last night, following a judge’s approval of an application to terminate the immigration proceedings, as confirmed by attorney Erin Hall during an interview with RTÉ’s Prime Time.

“You guys… CLIONA IS FREE!” shared Ms. Ward’s sister, Orla Holladay, in an uplifting update on their Gofundme fundraising page.

Orla recounted the emotional moment, stating, “We walked into the room, and the first thing she did was jump on the bed and hug the pillows.”

Ms. Ward, a green card holder and long-time California resident, was detained on April 21 after traveling to Ireland to visit her father. Another sister, Tracey, expressed her overwhelming relief at the news of Cliona’s release. “I was trying to maintain hope, but knowing how the system works, I was very fearful for her. I’m just completely relieved,” she shared, noting the extensive support the family received. “The outpouring of love worldwide has been absolutely unbelievable.”

Cliona Ward’s green card grants her permanent residency in the U.S. Unfortunately, upon her return from Ireland, she was detained due to a few minor convictions from two decades ago, which she believed had been expunged following a guilty plea.

In response, an application was filed in California to formally vacate the original convictions at a federal level. Ms. Hall explained, “It was very clear that Ms. Ward didn’t make those pleas voluntarily, as she wasn’t aware of the potential immigration consequences, highlighting a constitutional violation.”

A California judge agreed to the application, enabling Ms. Hall to file a motion to halt the immigration proceedings. Ultimately, a judge at the Tacoma Immigration Court signed an order to end these proceedings. “Justice was done,” Ms. Hall stated, emphasizing the significant community support and assistance from local congressman Jimmy Panetta.

Congressman Panetta tweeted about his advocacy, stating, “I fought to ensure the facts of Cliona Ward’s case were presented so the court could use its full discretion and do the right thing. Her release showcases the power of collective action for transparency, due process, and justice.”

Despite her release, Ms. Ward’s lawyer conveyed her surprise and distress over her detention concerning expunged convictions. Mike Mehr shared that cliona was held for around 17 days and transferred from San Francisco to Seattle. He expressed disbelief that such situations still exist. “Before the current administration, this would not have resulted in detention,” he noted, adding that officials had mentioned they were hesitant but needed to follow instructions.

Ms. Ward found conditions in the facility very challenging, describing the food as “manky” and the lights left on constantly. However, she formed bonds with other women in the center and feels empathy for those still trapped in the immigration system.

Mr. Mehr argued that stringent immigration policies have led to a chilling effect, prompting attorneys to encourage anyone eligible for U.S. citizenship to apply. “Even U.S. citizens are fearful of traveling abroad, which adversely affects tourism,” he remarked, adding hope for progress against unreasonable policies. “There is a growing resistance to Trump’s policies, and we’re optimistic it will lead to meaningful change.”

While the anticipated court proceedings could have lasted around four months, Mr. Mehr noted their swift resolution. “With the cooperation of the local district attorney’s office, we were able to vacate the convictions at warp speed,” he said.

It’s been a notably challenging time for Cliona’s family. As Tracey expressed, “None of us have been able to sleep properly during this ordeal. I’m just completely relieved! With Cliona’s freedom, our family plans to amplify our voices in support of everyone facing this unjust system.” She added, “I look forward to just seeing her beautiful face during our video call. I’ll probably just stare at it and cry.”

Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.