Canadian Woman Detained with Daughter Urges Immigrants to Stay Hidden
A Canadian mother, detained alongside her 7-year-old daughter by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), has issued a stark warning to fellow immigrants. Tania Warner, 47, currently held at the Dilley Immigration Detention Center in South Texas, cautions that individuals might be at risk of detention—even those adhering to proper legal avenues—while Donald Trump remains in the White House.
Family’s Difficult Journey and Arrest
Warner and her autistic daughter, Ira, found themselves embroiled in a harrowing situation following their relocation from British Columbia to Kingsville, Texas, in 2021 after Warner’s marriage to American citizen Edward Warner. Their ordeal began on March 14 when, while returning home from a baby shower in Raymondville, Texas, they were stopped at the Sarita Border Patrol checkpoint. Both mother and daughter were taken by ICE officers for fingerprinting, but neither returned home.
Conditions in Detention Centers Criticized
Initially held at the Rio Grande Valley Central Processing Center in McAllen, Texas, they were subsequently transferred to the facility in Dilley. Originally opened during the Obama administration and later closed under Biden, this center began housing detained families again in early 2025, drawing widespread backlash for its inhumane conditions.
Harsh Treatment and Psychological Impact
Warner described the treatment meted out to her and her daughter as “horrible” from the onset. After spending approximately five and a half hours at the checkpoint, they were sent to an initial facility where every individual, including children, were handcuffed. There, they were forced to sleep on the floor atop thin mats under constant fluorescent lighting. Officials pressured Warner numerous times to sign a document agreeing to “voluntary deportation,” often discouraging her from seeking legal representation.
Personal Impact and Family Struggles
Warner remarked on the disturbing tactics used by officials: “They are abusive, and their approach is to intimidate you into signing documents willingly for deportation.” Despite her belief that her family possesses the necessary documents for legal residency and work in the United States, they feel overlooked and dismissed. “My life is here with my husband. I love him and I don’t want to leave him. But I have started to develop a negative perception of America,” she conveyed.
Challenges Faced by Vulnerable Children
Even amidst adversity, Warner has strived to maintain a sense of normalcy for Ira, encouraging her to make friends with other children also yearning for home. Unfortunately, the confinement has taken a toll on Ira’s health, leading to the development of a persistent rash for which she has been treated with Benadryl. “I think she internalizes it quite a bit,” Warner noted, reflecting on the psychological challenges her daughter faces.
Ongoing Advocacy and Diplomatic Efforts
Conditions at the Dilley facility have shown slight improvements, with some inmates gaining access to windows and occasional outings. However, surveillance remains constant, as guards monitor detainees continuously. Meanwhile, attorneys are working to secure the release of the family, seeking a bail of $15,000.
Government Responses Under Scrutiny
Amelia Boultbee, a Member of Parliament from British Columbia, is actively lobbying the Canadian government to assist in securing Warner and her daughter’s release. “We are exploring diplomatic and legal avenues to help these Canadians, advocating against ICE’s questionable detention practices,” Boultbee stated. However, the path forward is uncertain, as it is rare for a Canadian family to be detained in the U.S., complicating the response from Canadian officials.
Global Affairs Canada has acknowledged awareness of multiple cases involving Canadians in immigration-related detention in the U.S. However, a spokesperson added, “Canadians are not exempt from local legal processes,” emphasizing the department’s limitations and privacy policies. As of March 20, ICE had reached out for further details about Warner’s case; however, no follow-up response has been received four days later.
