Montreal Businesswoman Held Months in U.S. Immigration Detention

Key Takeaways

• Paula Callejas detained by ICE since March 28, 2025 after a domestic dispute in Florida.
• ICE targets 3,000 daily arrests, increasing detention durations and straining courts and facilities.
• Detainees face harsh conditions, limited legal access, and prolonged immigration court processes.

A Montreal businesswoman, Paula Callejas, has been held in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody since late March 2025, after a domestic dispute in Florida led to her arrest. Her ongoing detention highlights the growing impact of recent U.S. immigration policies and raises concerns about the treatment of foreign nationals in ICE facilities.

Who is Paula Callejas and Why is She in ICE Custody?

Paula Callejas, a 43-year-old entrepreneur from Montreal, Canada 🇨🇦, was arrested on March 28, 2025, in Naples, Florida. The arrest followed a domestic altercation that resulted in a misdemeanor charge. Although she pleaded not guilty, her immigration status triggered a transfer from local law enforcement to ICE custody. Since then, Callejas has remained detained, first in Florida and now reportedly in an Arizona facility, though some reports suggest she could be in El Paso, Texas.

Her family, friends, and supporters have voiced deep concern about her well-being. They say she is struggling with anxiety and fear, and that her health has worsened due to the conditions inside the detention center. Callejas’s case is not unique, but it has drawn attention because of her background as a successful businesswoman and the length of her detention without clear resolution.

How Recent U.S. Immigration Policies Affect Cases Like Callejas’s

The Trump administration has made several changes to U.S. immigration policy since returning to office, focusing on stricter enforcement and increased detentions. Executive orders have expanded ICE’s authority, increased border security, and made it harder for people to get or keep visas. These changes have led to a sharp rise in the number of people detained by ICE, including many who, like Paula Callejas, have no history of violent crime.

ICE now faces pressure to arrest and detain more people, with a target of 3,000 arrests per day—up from about 650 earlier in the year. This surge has overwhelmed detention centers and immigration courts, leading to longer waits and more uncertainty for detainees. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, these policy shifts have created a climate where even minor legal issues can result in months of detention for foreign nationals.

What Happens to Detainees Like Paula Callejas?

When someone is arrested and ICE becomes involved, the process can move quickly. Here’s what typically happens:

• Initial Detention: After an arrest, if the person is not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, ICE may place a hold on them. This means local authorities must notify ICE before releasing the person.
• Transfer to ICE Custody: Once ICE takes custody, the person is moved to a federal detention center. In Callejas’s case, she was transferred from Florida to Arizona, though there is some confusion about her exact location.
• Detention Conditions: Detainees often face harsh conditions. Callejas’s family says she has been denied necessary medication and is struggling with anxiety and fear. Many detainees report similar problems, including lack of medical care, overcrowding, and limited access to legal help.
• Legal Proceedings: Detainees must go through immigration court to determine if they can stay in the United States 🇺🇸 or will be deported. This process can take months or even years, especially with the current backlog.

Family and Community Concerns

Callejas’s family has spoken out about her situation, describing her as “terrified” and “increasingly desperate.” They say she has lost weight, is not sleeping well, and fears for her safety. Her loved ones are frustrated by the lack of information and the slow pace of the legal process.

“We just want her home,” said a family member. “She’s not a criminal. She’s a businesswoman who made a life for herself and her family. This has turned our world upside down.”

The Canadian government 🇨🇦 has offered consular assistance, but privacy laws limit what officials can share about her case. Canadian officials have expressed concern about the treatment of their citizens in U.S. detention centers and are monitoring the situation closely.

Broader Impact of U.S. Immigration Policies

The Trump administration’s approach to immigration has changed the landscape for many people living, working, or traveling in the United States 🇺🇸. Key changes include:

• Increased Detentions: ICE is detaining more people for longer periods, even for minor offenses or immigration violations.
• Legal Uncertainty: The surge in detentions has created confusion and fear among immigrants, including Canadians who previously felt safe traveling to or living in the United States 🇺🇸.
• International Tensions: Cases like Callejas’s have strained relations between the United States 🇺🇸 and Canada 🇨🇦, as well as other countries whose citizens are affected by the new policies.

Human Rights and Legal Challenges

Many human rights groups and legal experts have criticized the administration’s policies, arguing that they violate basic rights and put people at risk. Critics say the focus on detention and deportation has led to the separation of families, the detention of people with no criminal history, and the return of migrants to dangerous situations.

Some of the most controversial policies include:

• Executive Orders: President Trump has signed orders to increase border security, limit asylum claims, and make it easier to deport people. Some of these orders, such as the attempt to end birthright citizenship, have been blocked by federal courts.
• Third-Country Agreements: The United States 🇺🇸 is seeking agreements with other countries to accept migrants who are denied entry or asylum in the U.S. Critics say this puts vulnerable people at risk by sending them to countries where they may not be safe.

Supporters of the administration’s approach argue that stricter enforcement is necessary to protect American workers and taxpayers. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has defended the policies, saying they target serious offenders and help keep communities safe.

What Can Detainees and Their Families Do?

For people like Paula Callejas and their families, the process can be overwhelming. However, there are steps they can take to protect their rights and seek release:

1. Seek Legal Help: Detainees should contact an immigration lawyer as soon as possible. Legal aid organizations, such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the National Immigration Law Center, can provide support.
2. Request a Bond Hearing: In some cases, detainees may be eligible for a bond hearing, where a judge decides if they can be released while their case is pending. The process for requesting a bond hearing can be found on the U.S. Department of Justice’s website.
3. Contact Consular Officials: Foreign nationals have the right to contact their country’s consulate for help. Consular officials can provide information, contact family members, and sometimes help with legal representation.
4. Stay Informed: Families should keep track of their loved one’s location and case status. ICE provides an online detainee locator tool on www.ice.gov to help families find where someone is being held.

How the System Works: Step-by-Step

• Arrest or Encounter: The process often starts with a police arrest or an encounter with immigration authorities.
• ICE Hold: If the person is not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, ICE may place a hold, requiring local authorities to notify ICE before release.
• Transfer to ICE: The person is transferred to an ICE detention center, which could be in a different state.
• Detention Review: ICE reviews the person’s case to decide if they should be released, deported, or kept in custody.
• Immigration Court: The detainee appears before an immigration judge, who decides if they can stay in the U.S. or must leave.
• Possible Outcomes: The judge may order release, deportation, or continued detention while the case is reviewed.

Challenges Facing Canadian Citizens in U.S. Immigration Detention

Canadians have long enjoyed easy travel and business opportunities in the United States 🇺🇸. However, recent policy changes have made the environment less predictable. Canadians now face:

• Longer Detentions: Even minor legal issues can lead to months in detention, as seen in Paula Callejas’s case.
• Legal Uncertainty: The rules for release and deportation are changing, making it hard to know what to expect.
• Limited Consular Access: Privacy laws and ICE policies can make it difficult for consular officials to help or even locate detained citizens.

Statements from Key Stakeholders

President Trump has repeatedly said that stricter immigration enforcement is needed to protect American jobs and public safety. “We are restoring law and order at the border and making America safe again,” he said in a recent statement.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem echoed this view, saying, “Our policies are focused on removing dangerous criminals and protecting our communities. We are committed to enforcing the law.”

Canadian officials have taken a different tone, expressing concern about the treatment of their citizens. “We are deeply concerned about the well-being of Canadians detained in the United States 🇺🇸 and are providing all possible consular assistance,” a spokesperson said.

Legal and Policy Developments to Watch

Several of the Trump administration’s executive orders are facing legal challenges. For example, a federal district court has temporarily blocked the order ending birthright citizenship. The outcome of these cases could change the rules for many people in detention or facing deportation.

The United States 🇺🇸 is also negotiating more agreements with other countries to accept migrants who are denied entry or asylum. These deals could make it harder for people to seek protection in the U.S. and may send them to countries where they are not safe.

Public Opinion and the Future of U.S. Immigration Policy

Public opinion in the United States 🇺🇸 is divided. Some people support stricter enforcement, believing it will reduce illegal immigration and protect jobs. Others argue for more humane treatment of detainees and a fairer system for people seeking to live or work in the country.

Advocates for immigrants say cases like Paula Callejas’s show the need for reform. They call for:

• Shorter Detention Periods: Limiting how long people can be held without a court hearing.
• Better Conditions: Ensuring detainees have access to medical care, legal help, and safe living conditions.
• Clearer Rules: Making the process more transparent so families know what to expect.

Resources for Families and Detainees

If you or someone you know is affected by U.S. immigration detention, these resources can help:

• U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE): www.ice.gov – Official information on detention, detainee locator, and legal rights.
• Canadian Consular Services: travel.gc.ca – Help for Canadian citizens detained abroad.
• Legal Aid Organizations: Groups like the ACLU and National Immigration Law Center offer legal support and information.

Conclusion: What’s Next for Paula Callejas and Others in ICE Custody?

The case of Paula Callejas shines a light on the real-life impact of U.S. immigration policy changes. As she waits in ICE custody, her family and supporters hope for a quick resolution and her safe return home. Her story is a reminder that immigration laws affect not just statistics, but real people with families, businesses, and dreams.

For now, the future remains uncertain. Legal challenges to the Trump administration’s policies could change the rules again. International pressure may lead to better treatment for detainees. But for Callejas and many others, the wait continues.

Families facing similar situations should seek legal help, stay in contact with consular officials, and use available resources to protect their rights. As the debate over U.S. immigration policy continues, the stories of people like Paula Callejas remind us of the human cost behind the headlines.

Learn Today

ICE → U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, agency enforcing immigration laws and detaining non-citizens.
Detention Center → Facility where individuals are held while their immigration status is reviewed or resolved.
Bond Hearing → Legal proceeding to determine if a detainee can be released pending their immigration case.
Executive Order → Directive from the U.S. president that manages operations of the federal government, impacting immigration policy.
Consular Assistance → Support from a detained person’s home country embassy or consulate regarding legal and welfare matters.

This Article in a Nutshell

Montreal businesswoman Paula Callejas remains detained by ICE since March 2025 after a Florida arrest. Harsh conditions, increased ICE enforcement, and slow legal processes highlight challenges faced by foreign nationals in U.S. immigration custody amid recent policy changes.
— By VisaVerge.com