Marie-Thérèse, a 86-year-old from Nantes, was arrested by ICE and placed in detention in Louisiana on April 1st. She had married an American man and moved to the US, but after his death in January 2026, she faced immigration issues due to not having a permanent visa. Despite her health problems, she was described as strong and resilient by her son. The French consulate in Atlanta is monitoring the situation closely. Marie-Thérèse’s story began in the 1950s when she met Billy, an American soldier, on an NATO base near Saint-Nazaire. They reconnected years later, got married in 2025, and she moved to the US.
The arrest came amid a succession conflict following Billy’s death. Allegations of intimidation and threats from Billy’s son were made, concerning Marie-Thérèse’s rights to inherit. Despite a court testimony in her favor, she was detained by immigration authorities. The family is now fighting for her release, especially considering her health condition. This incident occurs in the context of a significant increase in immigration-related arrests since Donald Trump’s return to the White House, with monthly arrests rising from 15,000 to nearly 55,000. By early 2026, ICE arrests had exceeded 70,000.
