French widow, 86, flies home after ICE detention ordeal An 86-year-old French widow has returned to France after being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Alabama, according to multiple news reports. Marie-Therese Helene Claire Ross-Mahé was taken from her home in Anniston, Alabama, on April 1, 2026, while wearing a nightgown and robe, according to court documents filed in Calhoun County Probate Court. She had been living in the United States since marrying her late husband, William “Bill” Ross, in April 2025, after reconnecting decades after their initial meeting in France during the 1960s when Bill was stationed there as a U.S. Army soldier. The detention occurred amid a heated estate dispute with her late husband’s sons, Gary and Tony Ross, over Bill Ross’s estate. Neighbors reported that shortly after her removal, her stepson Gary Ross and his wife arrived at the home and changed the locks. The presiding probate judge has indicated belief that the stepsons may have contributed to her detention through their actions in the ongoing legal case. French government officials confirmed they were actively working to secure her release and return to France. Following diplomatic efforts, Ross-Mahé was released from an ICE detention facility in Louisiana and flown back to France, where she reunited with her family. Her case drew attention from international media outlets, including The New York Times, BBC, NPR, and USA Today, highlighting concerns about the treatment of elderly immigrants and the intersection of civil enforcement with private family disputes over inheritance. As of April 17, 2026, Ross-Mahé is residing in France, and no further legal actions regarding her immigration status have been reported. The French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs has not issued additional public statements beyond confirming her safe return.
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