A brief visit to Canada and a minor paperwork oversight led a Washington state mother and her six-year-old son into US immigration detention for over three weeks, as reported by her lawyer to CNN.
Sarah Shaw, a New Zealand citizen residing legally in the US since 2021, was apprehended at the Blaine Customs and Border Protection checkpoint while returning home after dropping off her two older children at Vancouver airport for a flight to visit grandparents in New Zealand. Shaw, who is 33, opted for the direct flight to ensure her children wouldn’t have to manage a layover alone, according to her attorney Minda Thorward.
Unbeknownst to Shaw, the travel permit permitting her to leave and re-enter the US had expired. Upon this realisation, Shaw and her son, who had valid immigration documents, found themselves in custody. Attempts to secure a humanitarian parole to allow their re-entry were denied, as were requests for friends or family to pick up her son.
Both were relocated to the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, Texas, approximately 3,220 kilometres from their home. Shaw’s case reflects the ongoing immigration enforcement practices under the Trump administration, which have reportedly impacted lawful residents, despite claims of prioritising violent offenders.
Having entered the US on a tourist visa, Shaw married a citizen shortly after her arrival; however, the marriage ended quickly. She filed an I-360 petition in April 2022, which remains under review. Shaw was living under a “combo card,” which functions as both a work and travel permit. Though she renewed her work permit, she neglected to renew her travel permit, mistakenly believing that the renewal of her work permit also extended her travel authority.
Shaw had established her life in the US, holding a full-time job, renting an apartment, and adopting a dog, but the misunderstanding regarding her travel permit led to her detention. Reports indicate that she may be released soon, yet the uncertainty remains a concern, especially with her upcoming master’s program in psychology at Northwest University.
Her detention has been described as unnecessary and inhumane by her attorney, who expresses that Shaw acted in good faith. Meanwhile, a Customs and Border Protection spokesperson stated that individuals with expired parole attempting to re-enter the US are to be detained as per immigration laws, ensuring that families remain together where possible.
During her time in the detention facility, Shaw has described feelings of isolation, spending weeks in cramped conditions, while her son grieves the loss of his summer vacation. Detained families have shared similarly traumatic experiences, raising concerns about the lasting psychological impacts on children. The facility, despite being touted as safe, has faced scrutiny regarding the conditions and management of detainees.