Key Takeaways
• Cliona Ward, a 54-year-old Irish green card holder, was detained by ICE due to old criminal convictions.
• Her convictions were expunged in California, but federal law may still recognize them for immigration purposes.
• A court hearing is scheduled for May 7, 2025; widespread support and protests are ongoing in the U.S. and Ireland.
Cliona Ward, a 54-year-old Irish green card holder, is at the center of a heated immigration case after being detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Her story has gained attention not only from her family and friends, but also from union members, politicians, and supporters in both the United States 🇺🇸 and Ireland 🇮🇪. With protests being organized and a court hearing set for May 7, 2025, the case highlights many questions about how U.S. immigration laws affect legal permanent residents, especially when old criminal convictions are involved.
Who is Cliona Ward and Why is She Being Detained by ICE?
Cliona Ward has been a legal resident of the United States 🇺🇸 for over 40 years. She moved to the U.S. when she was just 12 and eventually received a green card. This green card, according to her family, is valid until 2033, which under normal circumstances should protect her from deportation and allow her to live and work freely in the country.
Things changed, though, when she traveled back to Ireland 🇮🇪 to care for her sick father, who is suffering from dementia. Upon returning to the U.S. on March 19, 2025, Cliona Ward was stopped by ICE and taken into custody. Her detention is related to past criminal convictions that date back more than 20 years. Even though California state courts wiped these convictions from her record (a process called expungement), it appears that these convictions may still exist at the federal level.
Her first detention was short, but she was asked to return with official paperwork proving her old conviction had truly been cleared. When she presented these documents on April 21, 2025, at the San Francisco airport, ICE detained her again and moved her to the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma, Washington.
The Background: What Do We Know About Her Convictions?
The records show that Cliona Ward pleaded guilty to two felonies for drug possession and has four misdemeanor convictions from the 2000s. One record stands out: in 2007, she pleaded guilty to simple possession of methamphetamine in California. This information is publicly available in court records and has been confirmed by her family.
According to her sister, Orla Holladay, Cliona Ward struggled with addiction during that period but has been sober for over 20 years. Orla says that Ward turned her life around long ago and has since lived responsibly and within the law.
What complicates Ward’s case is that her old convictions seem to have been wiped clean at the California state level, but federal immigration law does not always “see” state expungements. So, it’s possible for a person to have a conviction cleared by a state court yet still face federal consequences, especially when crossing international borders.
Cliona Ward’s Life in the U.S.
Cliona Ward has not only lived in the United States 🇺🇸 for 42 years, but she’s also been a dedicated worker and a union member of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). Many of her friends and colleagues describe her as a dedicated community member who cares deeply about those around her. Being a green card holder, she has built her life, career, and family in the U.S., like millions of other long-term permanent residents.
Current Legal Situation and Conditions
After her second detention, Cliona Ward was moved to the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma, Washington. She described the first place she was held as a “holding cell,” but she was later moved to a pod, which is a larger unit in the facility with other women.
Ward’s first hearing before an immigration court is set for May 7, 2025. There, her fate may start to become clear—whether she might be released, remain in detention, or face formal removal proceedings (deportation).
Despite her hardships, Cliona Ward’s sister says that Ward has been trying to help others by sharing her commissary money and phone time with fellow detainees. This reflects how Ward continues to build a sense of community and support for the women inside the detention facility.
Support and Campaigns
Many people have come together to support Cliona Ward. The SEIU, her labor union, is organizing protests to draw attention to her case and demand better treatment for her and other immigrants in similar situations. Her sister says these protests are happening thanks to the hard work and commitment of many supporters, including union members.
A GoFundMe fundraiser called “Cliona’s Hope: A Mother’s Fight for Freedom” has also been started to help with legal fees and living expenses. By May 1, 2025, the campaign had collected more than $41,000 from over 760 donors. This shows the level of concern and generosity from people who want to help Ward and her family during this difficult time.
Politicians have also spoken out, most notably California Representative Jimmy Panetta. He said, “It’s unimaginable that a reportedly expunged, 20-year-old incident could be used as justification for deporting a legal permanent resident.” His words reflect what many observers, especially in the Irish American and immigrant communities, are thinking: Should someone who has lived in the United States 🇺🇸 since childhood really face deportation years later for mistakes made long ago and which the state court already cleared?
Support is not only coming from inside the United States 🇺🇸. Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin (the leader of the Irish 🇮🇪 government) has also raised Ward’s case. He has said that the Irish government will be raising the issue with officials in the United States 🇺🇸 and working to ensure that her rights are protected.
The Legal and Policy Questions
Cliona Ward’s case raises important legal and policy questions about how the United States 🇺🇸 deals with green card holders who have old criminal convictions. Under U.S. immigration law, certain crimes—sometimes even those wiped away by a state court—can lead to deportation for noncitizens. Immigration judges have some power to look at the details of a case, including how old the convictions are, whether the person has lived a good life since then, and if they have strong ties to their community.
However, the fact that the same crime may be treated differently under state and federal law leads to confusion and heartbreak. In Ward’s case, her state-level expungement may not matter to federal immigration officials unless the law specifically says so. You can read more about how crimes affect green card holders and the deportation process at the official ICE website.
The issue is complicated by differences in how federal and state laws approach expungement and rehabilitation. For example, a state judge might agree that someone has paid their debt to society and deserves a clean slate. But at the federal level—especially under immigration law—old records can still count against you.
The Human Cost and Experience
It’s easy to get lost in the details of court dates, laws, and technical terms, but the most important thing is understanding how these rules affect real people—and their families. Cliona Ward’s case stands out because she has lived for most of her life in the United States 🇺🇸, has strong family and community ties, and has reportedly lived responsibly for the past 20 years. Her supporters ask: Should someone with decades of good behavior and strong roots in the country face removal over decades-old crimes, especially when state courts have cleared her record?
Ward’s personal experience in detention adds another layer to the story. She describes the stress and worry of being locked up far from family and friends. Still, she tries to look after other women who are going through the same difficulties. Her story encourages people to think not just about policies, but about the human consequences of those policies.
Official Responses and Next Steps
Lawmakers and public officials have paid close attention to this case. Representative Jimmy Panetta’s comments show that at least some people in government think the current approach is too harsh. Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin has taken steps to involve the Irish government, saying that the matter will be dealt with between the United States 🇺🇸 and Ireland 🇮🇪. This kind of diplomatic attention is rare for most immigration cases, but it shows how Ward’s situation has touched people in two countries.
In the meantime, Cliona Ward’s family, supporters, and lawyers are preparing for the May 7 hearing. Many hope that her long-term residency, her changed life, and strong support from the community will help her case.
Perspectives on Immigration, Crime, and Rehabilitation
Ward’s predicament raises broader social questions as well. Across the United States 🇺🇸, thousands of green card holders face possible deportation every year for old crimes. According to advocacy groups, many of these people have lived in the U.S. for decades, have families, and have stayed out of trouble for years after their convictions. Some experts believe that giving these people a second chance is fair and supports public safety, since they are more likely to join and strengthen their communities.
However, others argue that immigration law should be strict. They point out that all green card holders agree to follow U.S. laws, and that serious crimes should have long-lasting consequences.
This debate about rehabilitation, second chances, and public safety is ongoing. In Ward’s case, the public outcry—and the sharp focus on her expungement—has brought attention to the complicated patchwork of state and federal rules that many permanent residents must face.
Long-term Effects for Immigrants, Employers, and Families
The outcome of Cliona Ward’s case could affect many different groups:
- Immigrants: Green card holders with old criminal convictions may look at her case as a warning. Even if state courts have cleared their records, they might still face trouble at the border or with ICE.
- Employers: People who rely on dedicated workers like Ward could lose valuable staff if more legal permanent residents face removal for old crimes. This could make it harder to find and keep good workers.
- Families: Cases like this cause huge stress for families, especially when the green card holder is the breadwinner or has caring roles at home. Splitting families apart can have long-lasting effects, especially on children.
Community Activism and Broader Impact
The strong response from the SEIU and other community members is another key part of this story. By raising money, spreading the word, and holding protests, these groups are pushing for change—not just for Cliona Ward, but for all immigrants who may be affected by the same laws.
VisaVerge.com’s investigation reveals that many community organizations are working together to make sure that lawmakers understand the impact of immigration law on real people. They argue that cases like Cliona Ward’s show the need for changes to how old convictions are treated.
What Happens Next?
As the date of Cliona Ward’s hearing approaches, the eyes of supporters, public officials, and the wider public are on her case. The hearing will likely decide whether she will be allowed to stay in the United States 🇺🇸 or face deportation to Ireland 🇮🇪 after more than 40 years of building a life here.
Ward’s supporters hope for a decision that takes her rehabilitation, long-term residency, and deep community ties into account. Others say that the case should send a message about following the law and the seriousness of certain convictions.
No matter the outcome, Cliona Ward’s story has started conversations about how immigration law should balance public safety, fairness, and second chances. The protests, community support, and high-profile attention suggest that her case will continue to influence how people think about legal permanent residents and the impact of old convictions.
If you or someone you know is a green card holder and want to understand what criminal records mean for immigration status, official guidance can be found from ICE’s removal information page, which explains how the agency handles these cases.
For now, the future of Cliona Ward, her family, and many others in similar positions rests in the hands of the courts, advocates, and the ongoing national debate over immigration law.
Learn Today
Green card holder → A non-citizen granted lawful permanent residence in the U.S., allowing them to live and work there indefinitely.
Expungement → A legal process where a state court erases or seals a criminal conviction from a person’s public record.
ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) → A U.S. agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws and detaining or deporting non-citizens.
Deportation → The formal removal of a non-citizen from the United States, often due to criminal convictions or immigration violations.
Admissibility → A legal concept in immigration law deciding if someone can enter or remain in the U.S. based on eligibility criteria.
This Article in a Nutshell
Cliona Ward’s detention by ICE after decades as a green card holder exposes the harsh reality for immigrants with past convictions. Despite her convictions being expunged at the state level, federal law still threatens her residency. Her case spotlights the legal uncertainty and the urgent need for immigration reform.
— By VisaVerge.com
Read more:
• Leaving the United States for Brazil may put your green card at risk
• Parent Green Card: How the IR-5 Visa Brings Parents to the US
• Cliona Ward held at Tacoma ICE center despite decades on green card
• OpenAI researcher denied green card after key role in GPT-4.5
• U.S. Green Card holders risk status loss for mistakes beyond crime
