Key Takeaways
• Cliona Ward, an Irish green card holder, was detained at Tacoma ICE center due to old drug convictions from 2003-2008.
• Her convictions were expunged, but immigration law still considers them; she awaits a court hearing scheduled for May 7, 2025.
• Ward’s detention disrupts her role as caretaker for her chronically ill son and sparks debate on fair treatment for immigrants.
When Cliona Ward, a 54-year-old Irish woman with a green card, landed in the United States 🇺🇸 after visiting her sick father in Ireland 🇮🇪, she likely expected a simple return to her life in California. Instead, officials placed her in detention at the Tacoma ICE center in Washington. Her story has caught attention and raised questions about how old legal trouble can affect even those who have built a stable, legal life in the country.
A Difficult Homecoming—Why Was Cliona Ward Detained?
Ward has called the United States 🇺🇸 home for more than 30 years. She holds a green card, which permits her to live and work in the country as a lawful permanent resident. Her recent trip to Ireland 🇮🇪 was to visit her elderly father, who is dealing with dementia. On her way back through San Francisco International Airport, immigration officials stopped her based on her criminal record from the early 2000s. Between 2003 and 2008, Ward had several drug-related convictions.
The surprising part, according to her and her family, is that these convictions were expunged, meaning a court later cleared her record. Despite this, officials at the airport detained her and sent her to the Tacoma ICE center. After her initial detention, Ward was released so she could get documents proving that her record had been cleared. But when she brought this paperwork back to the authorities, she was detained again.
Caught Between Past Convictions and Current Laws
Ward’s story highlights a challenge many permanent residents face when old legal issues come back to haunt them—even after a court clears those issues. U.S. law gives immigration officers the power to detain green card holders who have certain criminal records, even if those records were expunged. In Ward’s case, officials decided her past was serious enough to put her case before an immigration judge.
She now waits at the Tacoma ICE center for a hearing scheduled for May 7, 2025. Until then, she remains under the strict conditions of detention, far from her family and her responsibilities at home.
Family Ties—Caretaker for a Chronically Ill Son
What makes Ward’s case stand out is not just her long residence in the United States 🇺🇸, but her role in her family. Her adult son, an American citizen, suffers from chronic illness. Ward is his main caretaker. Her detention has upended both their lives. Family members say she is deeply worried about her son’s well-being. The thought of being permanently separated from him because of an old, supposedly cleared conviction weighs heavily on Ward.
Her sister, Orla Holladay, has spoken publicly about the family’s struggle. She set up a GoFundMe fundraiser to help cover Ward’s legal expenses. Holladay and other supporters say Ward’s situation shows the deep human impact of strict immigration enforcement.
The Legal Road Ahead—May Court Date and Possible Outcomes
Ward’s case is moving to immigration court, where a judge will decide her fate. While the law lets officials detain green card holders for some old crimes, legal experts say judges often look at the full story. This includes how long someone has lived in the country, their family ties, and whether they present any real danger to society.
Ward’s lawyers are preparing to argue that she should be allowed to stay. They will use evidence such as her three decades of life in the U.S., her cleared criminal record, and her role as a caretaker. Still, there is no guarantee. Some judges take a very strict view of the law, especially when a drug-related record is involved, even if the record is now officially expunged.
Her hearing on May 7, 2025, will be an important test case—both for Ward’s future and for thousands of others in similar situations.
Criticism of ICE Policies—A Wider Debate
Ward’s story has ignited debate about how U.S. immigration law treats long-term residents with green cards. California Representative Jimmy Panetta has spoken out about the case. He called Ward’s detention an example of unforgiving deportation policies, saying they often do not consider the full context of a person’s life and family.
Advocates for immigrants argue that cases like Ward’s show the need for more flexible and humane policies. They point out that many green card holders have spent most of their lives obeying U.S. laws and contributing to their communities. They believe it is unfair for old legal problems—especially those officially cleared—to destroy families and lives.
Others, however, say strict enforcement is needed to keep communities safe and to uphold immigration laws. They view past criminal records, especially for drugs, as legitimate grounds for tough action.
Conditions at Tacoma ICE Center—Life Inside Detention
While she waits for her hearing, Ward is being held at the Tacoma ICE center in Washington. According to reports, she feels lonely and depressed. The experience has been harsh, but she has also found some comfort from other detainees. Many people inside are in similar situations—detained because of past offenses, scared for their families, and unsure about what will happen next.
Her supporters outside the center have tried to send messages of hope and encouragement. But Ward’s days are full of uncertainty. She worries not only for herself but also for her chronically ill son, who struggles in her absence.
Public Reaction—Support Grows Online and Off
News of Ward’s detention has reached both the Irish and American press. Many people were shocked to learn that a green card holder with decades in the United States 🇺🇸 could be detained for old offenses that a court later cleared. The GoFundMe campaign started by her sister has received donations and messages from people who feel the system is too harsh.
Ward’s case has prompted discussions about what it means to have a green card. Some commentators say most people do not realize that even legal permanent residents can lose nearly everything if they make a mistake years earlier—even if they fix it later.
Expungement in U.S. Immigration Law—What Does It Really Mean?
Here’s a common question raised by the Ward case: If someone’s criminal record is expunged, does it really help them avoid problems with immigration? Expungement means a court removes a conviction from public record. In most parts of everyday life, this offers a fresh start. But when it comes to immigration, things are not so simple.
For green card holders, including someone like Cliona Ward, an expunged record can still come back during border checks, visa renewals, or applications for citizenship. Immigration officials are allowed to look at the full history, including cases that were expunged or sealed. This has caught many legal residents by surprise.
VisaVerge.com’s investigation reveals that even when people fix their records in state courts, federal immigration law sometimes treats those cases as if they were never cleared. This difference between state and immigration law means many people—like Ward—face a risk they may not have expected.
The Impact on Families—A Ripple Effect
Ward’s story is not just about one woman. Her detention has strained her family in many ways. Her son, ill and unable to care for himself, is now missing his main source of support. Friends and neighbors worry about how long this may last. Ward’s family has reported ongoing stress, both emotional and financial, as they try to handle legal bills and keep their lives as normal as possible.
For other immigrants, this case is a warning. Even a green card does not offer full protection. Old mistakes—or even mistakes that a court later fixes—can still carry big risks.
Responses from Lawmakers and Advocacy Groups
Representative Jimmy Panetta has urged officials to look at the bigger picture. He believes cases like Ward’s don’t serve the public interest and instead break up families unnecessarily. Advocacy groups across California and the Irish community have also rallied around Ward, calling for her release and a change to the law.
Some groups have reached out to the Irish government for support, hoping they can add diplomatic pressure for a fair outcome. At the same time, supporters have repeatedly stressed her deep roots in American society and her vital caregiving work.
Hearing Set for May 2025—What Comes Next?
Ward’s court hearing in May 2025 is the next big step. She and her lawyers will need to present a strong case. They must prove her value to her family and community, show her criminal record was cleared, and explain the consequences of forced deportation. The judge’s decision will decide whether Ward can stay in the United States 🇺🇸 or will be sent back to Ireland 🇮🇪, possibly leaving her son behind.
Many are watching to see what the outcome will be, as it might shape how other green card holders with old criminal records are treated in the years ahead.
A Deeply Personal Fight Amid Legal Uncertainty
For now, Cliona Ward’s life is on hold inside the walls of the Tacoma ICE center. She waits, along with her family, for a fair and final decision. The experience has been hard, both mentally and emotionally, but supporters hope the public attention and legal support will help her case.
Her story underlines the uncertain position of green card holders with old criminal histories—even when courts have cleared those histories. It also shows how U.S. immigration law, especially in the current climate, leaves many long-term residents living with fear and uncertainty.
What the Cliona Ward Case Means for Others
Ward’s situation is a reminder for all green card holders to know their own legal history and check how it might affect their status, especially when traveling abroad or applying for citizenship. If you hold a green card and have any past charges or convictions—even if you believe they were cleared—it is important to seek advice from a qualified attorney before traveling.
People can find more information on rights and responsibilities as green card holders from the official U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website. The site offers guidance that may help others avoid being caught in similar situations.
As the date of her court hearing approaches, Cliona Ward stands as both an individual facing loss and as a symbol of bigger challenges in immigration law. Her fight at the Tacoma ICE center is closely watched by families, legal experts, and advocacy groups far beyond Washington. The outcome may offer hope for others who worry that one mistake—even one a court later fixed—could cost them everything they’ve worked for in the United States 🇺🇸.
In the end, Ward’s case brings attention to the real-life impact of immigration enforcement on families and long-term residents. It has already reminded many people of the fragile line between security and uncertainty for those who live in the country on a green card. Her journey continues, with the hopes of her family, friends, and supporters resting on a judge’s decision—and on wider calls for immigration reform and compassion.
Learn Today
Green card → A permanent resident card that allows a non-citizen to live and work legally in the United States.
Expungement → A legal process where a court removes criminal convictions from a person’s record, making them ‘cleared’ in most situations.
ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) → A U.S. federal agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws, including detention and deportation of non-citizens.
Immigration judge → A legal official who hears immigration cases, including deportation, and makes decisions regarding a person’s right to remain.
Deportation → The formal removal of a non-citizen from the United States due to legal violations or immigration status issues.
This Article in a Nutshell
Cliona Ward’s detention at the Tacoma ICE center highlights a deep problem: expunged criminal records can still trigger deportation proceedings. Her case, involving three decades in the U.S. and family obligations, underscores the unclear security even green card holders face. Many now urge reform and a more compassionate immigration policy.
— By VisaVerge.com
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