U.S. Representative Jimmy Panetta expressed his hopes that the Trump administration and immigration officials will “do the right thing” regarding the plight of an Irish woman currently held in a U.S. immigration detention facility.
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The Democratic Congressman from California has strongly advocated for Cliona Ward’s release, noting that the final decision rests with the administration. He emphasized, “It is my responsibility to ensure that officials are aware of all the facts surrounding this case, so they can exercise their discretion appropriately.”
In an interview with RTÉ News, he stated, “Part of our job is fighting back. Part of our job is standing up to bullies. Right now, we have a bully in the White House who is picking on people like Cliona Ward.”
A Long-Time Resident in Distress
Ms. Ward, a legal resident of the United States for decades, was detained by customs and border officials upon her return to California after a visit to Ireland to see her ailing father. At 54 years old, she has been a long-time resident of Santa Cruz. Currently, she is being held at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center in Washington state, due to a 20-year-old “expunged non-violent” criminal conviction, as reported by her family.
“She was handcuffed, detained, and turned over to ICE agents, who are now moving to deport her,” shared her sister, Orla Holladay, on a GoFundMe page. The family fears that Ms. Ward could remain in detention “for months.”
The Challenge of Immigration Reform
Panetta, a former gang prosecutor, acknowledged that immigration reform is a “difficult fight,” but he affirmed his commitment not to “cower and cave in” as President Trump’s policies contribute to anxiety within immigrant communities. “I support border security, but it must be balanced with proper immigration reform, especially in light of situations like Ms. Ward’s, where this administration has ignored rules, due process, and court orders,” he said.
He concluded, “We will continue to advocate not just for immigrants, but for shared values that unite us all.”
According to Ms. Holladay, Ms. Ward was detained by customs and border officials after attending an administrative meeting where she presented documents relating to her expunged criminal conviction. She noted, “Despite having complied with the law, made reparations, and maintained a clean record—working full-time, paying taxes, and caring for her chronically ill son—Cliona was apprehended during what was meant to be a routine meeting.”
Ms. Ward is currently being held at the Northwest Detention Centre in Tacoma, Washington, one of the largest detention centers in the U.S., with a capacity exceeding 1,500 individuals.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
