Cliona Ward, a 54-year-old Irish-born legal permanent resident of the U.S., is currently detained in a California Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility after returning from Ireland. Ward, who has lived in the U.S. since she was 12, was detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at San Francisco International Airport despite holding a valid green card and a clean record for decades.
The detention stems from six minor offenses committed between 2003 and 2008, including two felonies for drug possession and four misdemeanors. Ward’s family asserts that these offenses were expunged under California state law, but federal authorities have not recognized the expungement, leading to her detention. Her first court hearing is scheduled for May 7.
Ward is a caregiver to her chronically ill son, Malaki, whose birthday occurred two days after her detention. Her sister, Orla Holladay, describes her as “terrified” and “distraught,” fearing she might “get lost in the system.” Ward has been sober for over 20 years and works at a nonprofit teaching soil management and conservation to children.
The case has drawn criticism from U.S. Representative Jimmy Panetta, who called the use of expunged offenses as grounds for deportation “unimaginable” and “cruel and misguided.” California State Assembly Representative Gail Pellerin also condemned the detention, highlighting it as a contradiction to claims that only hardened criminals are targeted under current immigration policies.
Ward’s detention reflects broader immigration policy shifts under the Trump administration, particularly Executive Order 14159, which mandates enforcement against all removable individuals regardless of rehabilitation or community ties. This policy change has led to increased detentions of long-term residents like Ward, who have strong community connections and have led law-abiding lives.
The Department of Foreign Affairs has confirmed awareness of the case and is providing consular assistance, though it does not comment on individual cases.
For more information or to support Cliona Ward’s case, visit the GoFundMe campaign titled “Cliona’s Hope: A Mother’s Fight for Freedom.”
