• The French government is advocating for the release of 86-year-old Marie-Thérèse Ross detained by ICE.
• Ross was detained after overstaying her 90-day visa on April 1 in Alabama.
• She is a widow of a U.S. Army veteran, highlighting issues with immigration enforcement.
• French Consul General Rodolphe Sambou has visited Ross in detention and is working for her release.
• The case reflects ongoing controversies regarding U.S. deportation practices.

The French government is pressing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to release Marie-Thérèse Ross, an 86-year-old widow of a military veteran, who was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on April 1 for overstaying her 90-day visa. She is currently held at a federal immigration detention facility in Louisiana, according to latimes, npr, and lemonde.

Consul General Rodolphe Sambou stated that the French government has "fully mobilized" efforts to secure Ross's release, emphasizing her age and stating, "We want her to get out of jail." Sambou has visited Ross twice and is in constant communication with her family and French officials in various cities to ensure she receives adequate food and healthcare in detention, according to latimes and npr.

Ross married William Ross, an Alabama resident and U.S. Army veteran, in April 2025, and he passed away in January 2026. This situation highlights concerns regarding the treatment of military spouses under U.S. immigration policies, particularly in light of stricter deportation measures during the Trump administration, as stated in latimes, npr, and lemonde.