Canadian Mother and Daughter Released from ICE Custody Amid Uncertain Future
After nearly three weeks in custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Tania Warner and her seven-year-old daughter Ayla felt immense relief upon their release. However, the joy of returning to freedom was overshadowed by the plight of family members still locked away. Warner expressed her emotional turmoil, stating she had grown attached to fellow detainees and lamented their ongoing incarceration.
During their stay at two ICE facilities in south Texas, Warner and Ayla were surrounded by families from diverse backgrounds, including Venezuela, Egypt, El Salvador, Russia, and more. Despite language barriers, the shared experience of detention fostered a unique bond among them. Warner noted an overwhelming sense of solidarity, saying they were united by a common struggle.
Warner highlighted the distressing reality faced by immigrant detainees, who often endure months without due process, live in fear of separation, and suffer from extreme anxiety with no clear path to freedom. Most people held, including Warner, have not committed any crimes but are ensnared in the fallout of intensified immigration enforcement initiated under former President Donald Trump’s administration. She characterized them as victims of an unjust system, arguing that the government’s actions are not only wrong but illegal.
Warner and her daughter were initially placed in the Rio Grande Valley Central Processing Center in McAllen, Texas, before being transferred on March 20 to the Dilley Detention Center. Dilley has faced criticism for its inadequate medical care and insufficient food. Reports have surfaced of illnesses within the facility, including measles cases, prompting U.S. Representative Joaquin Castro to raise concerns about the care provided to minors.
A recent report from Human Rights First and RAICES disclosed that more than 5,600 individuals, including infants and very young children, were detained in Dilley from April 2025 to February 2026. It described widespread abuses, including prolonged detention in violation of legal limits, coercion against pursuing asylum claims, and threats of family separation. Warner recalled facing immense pressure from guards to leave the facility voluntarily.
Originally hailing from British Columbia, Warner married her American husband Edward in 2021 and relocated to Kingsville, Texas. Their detainment began after they were stopped at a Border Patrol checkpoint while returning from a baby shower. Despite having valid documentation allowing them to reside and work in the U.S. until June 2030, their immigration status was thrown into question.
Since their release on $9,500 bail, Warner and Ayla are grappling with the uncertainties of their situation, including ongoing check-ins with ICE. Warner is required to wear an ankle monitor and can’t travel more than 75 miles from their home. Facing another appointment in Harlingen, Texas, Warner expressed her apprehensions about being re-detained.
Among the families Warner met while detained, many had left professional careers in their home countries only to find themselves in low-paying jobs in the U.S. due to immigration enforcement. Notably, a Russian family fled the threat of conscription amid the conflict in Ukraine, only to find themselves imprisoned for seeking asylum.
The report by Human Rights First and RAICES characterized conditions in Dilley as untenable, citing inadequate access to food, water, and basic hygiene, critically affecting children. Both Warner and Ayla developed skin rashes attributed to the harsh detergents used for their uniforms, while Warner recalled the overwhelming chemical smells within the facility.
As of March 20, ICE had yet to respond to inquiries regarding Warner’s case. In a statement, Global Affairs Canada confirmed awareness of multiple cases involving Canadians in immigration detention in the U.S., emphasizing that while they advocate for Canadian citizens abroad, they cannot interfere with local legal systems. After their release, Global Affairs indicated they had no further comments on the situation.
