Green Card Holder in US for Over 30 Years Detained by CBP After Trip—Sister

Cliona Ward, a 54-year-old green card holder who has lived in the United States for more than four decades, was detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at San Francisco International Airport on April 21 upon her delivery of requested documents, her sister Orla Holladay told Newsweek.

Holladay said thatWard's detention was triggered by her previous nearly 20-year old criminal record, which the family believes has 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 CBP for comment via email on Thursday.

Why It Matters

Ward's detention comes amid an immigration crackdown under the Trump administration, during which people with valid documentation—including green cards or visas—have been detained and face 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 when she was 12, was stopped by CBP in Seattle on March 19. She was returning from a trip in which she was "helping to assist our stepmother to go back to Ireland, where my father is currently dying," Holladay said.At the time, her green card was up to date, not expiring until 2033.

She was held at the airport for three days, her sister told Newsweek, noting that the conditions were particularly bad, adding that Ward was existing off "goldfish and Top Ramen."

The officials released her so she could retrieve necessary documentation proving that her criminal records had been expunged and then to deliver them to the Customs office at San Francisco International Airport.

Ward's prior criminal record includes six cases—two felonies involving possession of drugs and four misdemeanors including "failure to notify DMV [Department of Motor Vehicles] of address change within 10 days," according to court documents reviewed by Newsweek.

"My sister had an addiction that lasted about five years," Holladay said. The felonies for drug possession were in December 2007 and January 2008. Holladay said: "Those court cases are from 20-plus years ago. She has been completely sober for 20-plus years...the reality of the felony is that she was an addict and she was picked up for possessing the poison that she was putting into her own body."

"She has a criminal past, but she's not a criminal. She's a person with a painful past," Holladay added. She said Ward has "traveled freely in and out of the country since her prior history."

Upon arriving at the airport on Monday to follow up on her case, she was detained by CBP agents. On Wednesday, members of her family were able to speak to her for the first time since she was detained.

Ward went through the public school system in the area, attending the University of California Santa Cruz, and has been "full-time employed by a nonprofit organization," her sister said.

Additionally, Ward is the primary care provider for her son, who is an American citizen, and is chronically ill with Crohn's disease and a complicated fistula.

Holladay noted that Ward's detention at the airport in San Francisco is significantly better than in Seattle, saying that "she has access to better food and water" and was able to call her son.

What People Are Saying

California Representative Jimmy Panetta, a Democrat, 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 Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin 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."

Legal analyst Steven Clark told NBC 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

Ward remains in custody. Her family has just retained a lawyer.

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 Panetta's press team for comment via email on Thursday.

Update 4/24/25, 2:15 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with comment and information from Orla Holladay and new headline.