French Woman, 86, Detained by ICE After Moving to US to Marry 1950s Sweetheart
Marie-Thérèse, an 86-year-old French woman, is being held in a detention center in Louisiana after being arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). She moved to the U.S. to marry her former sweetheart, Billy, a retired U.S. Army colonel, whom she had reconnected with after decades apart. Following Billy's death in January 2026, Marie-Thérèse's immigration status became uncertain as she had not yet obtained a green card. Her arrest occurred amid a legal dispute with Billy's son, who allegedly cut off utilities to her home. French consular officials are working to secure her release, as her family expresses concern for her health due to her detention conditions. 
