Canadian Mother and Daughter Detained by ICE, Sparking Outrage and Calls for Release
A Canadian woman and her seven-year-old daughter with autism are being held by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), raising concerns about the treatment of families at the border and prompting calls for their immediate release. Tania Warner and Ayla Luca were stopped at a border patrol checkpoint in Sarita, Texas, on March 14th while driving home from a baby shower and have since been transferred to the Dilley immigration processing center.
Details of the Detention
Tania Warner, originally from British Columbia, moved to the U.S. Five years ago after marrying Edward Warner, a U.S. Citizen. The family resides in Kingsville, Texas. According to Edward Warner, his wife has valid paperwork to live and work in the U.S. Until 2030. Despite this, ICE has asked Tania to “self-deport” to Canada, a request her husband vehemently opposes.
Edward Warner reports that communication with his wife has been limited to brief phone calls, during which she has expressed feeling “traumatized” and has been forced to whisper to avoid being overheard by officials. Ayla, who has autism, has reportedly developed a rash during her time in detention.
The family was initially held at the Rio Grande Valley Central processing center in McAllen, Texas, before being moved to the Dilley center on Friday, March 20th. While conditions at Dilley are slightly improved – providing mattresses, unlike the floor at Rio Grande – the facility has faced criticism for inhumane conditions, including outbreaks of disease, lack of clean water, and inadequate medical care. The Guardian reported on these conditions.
Calls for Release and Legal Challenges
Democratic Congressman Vicente Gonzalez, representing Texas’s 34th congressional district, has stated his office is working to secure the family’s release. “Tania has a work permit and is part of the fabric of our Kingsville community; she nor her daughter Ayla, a 7-year-old with autism, should be in detention,” Gonzalez said in a statement. He further criticized the Biden Administration’s “rogue immigration enforcement operations.”
Immigration lawyer Heather Neufeld, based in Ottawa, notes that Canada should be advocating for their release, potentially by agreeing to accept them back into the country. She as well points out that ICE often detains individuals for extended periods, sometimes for a year or more, instead of promptly deporting them. The Guardian
Tania’s cousin, Amber Sinclair, confirmed that Tania possesses a social security card and a valid work visa until 2030, questioning the justification for her detention.
ICE Response and Ongoing Concerns
When questioned about the detention, an ICE spokesperson requested additional information to locate Warner and Luca. As of the time of publication, ICE had not provided a response regarding the reasons for their detention. The Guardian
Global Affairs Canada stated it is aware of multiple cases of Canadians in immigration-related detention in the U.S. And advocates for their rights, but cannot interfere with local legal processes. Due to privacy concerns, the ministry declined to provide further details.
Recent ICE Detentions
This case occurs amidst other recent ICE detentions. In June 2025, Paola Clouatre, the wife of a Marine veteran, was detained by ICE during her green card interview after a deportation order from 2018 was discovered. AOL. This incident, like the Warner-Luca case, highlights concerns about ICE’s enforcement practices and the impact on families.