Irish national Cliona Ward, who had been detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), is set to be released this afternoon after all charges against her were dropped. The decision was made during a court hearing in Tacoma, Washington, where Ward was informed that her immigration case had been terminated.
Legal Battle and Resolution
Ward, a long-time California resident, was detained upon returning to the United States following a trip to Ireland. Authorities cited decades-old convictions, which Ward believed had been expunged, as grounds for her detention. Her legal team successfully argued that her original pleas were made without full awareness of immigration consequences, leading to a constitutional violation.
A California judge formally vacated her convictions, allowing her attorney to file a motion to terminate the immigration proceedings. The Tacoma Immigration Court swiftly approved the motion, ensuring Ward’s immediate release.
Community and Political Support
Ward’s case drew widespread support, with family, friends, and activists rallying outside the detention facility. Irish politicians, including Taoiseach Micheál Martin, had expressed concerns over her detention, while California Congressman Jimmy Panetta called for her release, criticizing the harsh immigration policies that led to her arrest.
Emotional Reunion and Future Advocacy
Ward’s sister, Tracey Ward, described the news as a “huge relief”, emphasizing the global outpouring of support. She vowed to amplify awareness of similar cases affecting legal residents caught in immigration disputes.
Ward is expected to reunite with her family and supporters later today, marking the end of a stressful legal ordeal.
