Cliona Ward, a 54-year-old green card holder who has lived in California for over three decades, was recently detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at San Francisco International Airport.
Her sister, Orla Holladay, told NBC News that Ward’s detention was triggered by her previous criminal record, which has reportedly been expunged. Newsweek has been unable to verify and confirm if both her federal and state record has been expunged.
Newsweek has reached out to Ward’s sister and CBP for comment via email on Thursday.
Why It Matters
Ward’s detention comes amid an immigration crackdown under the Trump administration, during which multiple reports have emerged of individuals with valid documentation—including green cards or visas—being detained and facing legal jeopardy.
President Donald Trump vowed to prevent illegal immigrants with criminal histories or backgrounds from entering and staying in the U.S. He has pledged to launch the largest mass deportation operation in U.S. history and has detained and deported thousands of people in recent months.
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) says that a green card holder has the right to live permanently in the U.S. provided they do not commit any actions that “would make you removable under immigration law.” This includes breaking laws and not filing taxes.
What To Know
Ward, who emigrated from Ireland decades ago, was stopped by CBP in the San Francisco (SFO) airport in late-March after returning from a trip to visit her mother. At the time, her green card was up to date, not expiring until 2033, according to NBC Bay Area.
After being stopped, the officials reportedly released her so she could retrieve documentation proving that her criminal records had been expunged, her family told NBC.
Ward’s prior criminal record includes six cases involving possession of drugs and theft committed between 2003 and 2008, some misdemeanors and others felonies. Her family said Ward struggled with addiction. Newsweek has reached out to the Santa Cruz courthouse for comment via email on Thursday.
However, upon returning to the airport on Monday to follow up on her case, she was detained by CBP agents, and her family says they have not spoken to her since.
AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster/NBC News
“I’m livid,” Holladay said. “And the way they’re treating her is worse than a criminal. She had no contact with family members. She was basically eating ramen and Goldfish for three days.”
Holladay noted that her sister “has a son who is an American citizen, who she is currently a caretaker for because he’s chronically ill.”
What People Are Saying
California Representative Jimmy Panetta, a Democrat, said in a statement: “It’s unimaginable that a reportedly expunged, 20-year-old incident could be used as justification for deporting a legal permanent resident who is a productive member of our community. But this is the cruel and unreasonable state of this Administration’s deportation policy. As a former gang prosecutor, I understand and appreciate the need to remove hardened criminals from our communities, but the detention of Cliona Ward—now in her 50s and a Green Card holder—for decades-old crimes that have reportedly been expunged from her personal record is unfathomable and unacceptable.”
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin of the Department of Homeland Security previously told Newsweek: “The Trump administration is enforcing immigration laws—something the previous administration failed to do. Those who violate these laws will be processed, detained, and removed as required.”
Orla Holladay, Ward’s sister told NBC earlier this week: “I feel like I’m in the twilight zone. She’s not a criminal. She has a criminal past, which she was atoned for.”
Legal analyst Steven Clark told NBC earlier this week: “Prior drug convictions are particularly problematic, even though they’ve been decriminalized under state law. They are very serious under federal law. So, for people who have prior drug or theft convictions, you could be in the crosshairs of the Trump administration’s deportation policies.”
What Happens Next
It is unclear if Ward has been transferred to an ICE detention center. Newsweek could not locate her in the online ICE detainee database.
Panetta said in his statement that he is “continuing to press U.S. Customs and Border Protection for the release of Ms. Ward and am working closely with her advocates to coordinate our efforts, ensure transparency, and uphold the law and due process that must be afforded to everyone in the United States.”
Newsweek has reached out to Representative Panetta’s press team for comment via email on Thursday.
