The family of Tania Warner, 47, was stopped at a US border patrol checkpoint while driving home after a party in Raymondville, Texas, on 14/3. Agents from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) then took Tania and her 7-year-old daughter for fingerprinting before detaining them.

Tania, a Canadian national, is married to Edward Warner, a US citizen. She and her daughter, who has autism, moved from British Columbia, Canada, to Kingsville, Texas, in 2021.

Edward told Canadian media last week that ICE agents stated his wife had "overstayed her visa," despite him providing a copy of her US work permit, issued last year and valid until 8/6/2030.

Tania Warner and her 7-year-old daughter Ayla Warner. Photo: *Guardian*

Initially, the mother and daughter were held at the Rio Grande Valley processing center in McAllen, Texas, before being transferred to the Dilley facility a few days later. This facility specializes in detaining families apprehended for immigration issues and has faced repeated criticism for inhumane conditions.

Speaking to the *Guardian* by phone from the Dilley facility, Tania described her and her daughter's treatment as "terrible" from the outset. After being held for about five and a half hours at the checkpoint, they were taken to the Rio Grande Valley facility, where "everyone was handcuffed, even children."

There, they were forced to sleep on the floor on mats approximately 5 cm thick, with lights kept on 24 hours a day. Staff denied Tania access to a lawyer and repeatedly pressured her to sign documents agreeing to "voluntarily depart the US."

"Their tactic is to threaten and treat you so harshly that you agree to leave voluntarily," Tania alleged, adding that she and her family had repeatedly asserted they possessed all necessary documents to live and work in the US, but their claims were ignored.

Edward Warner during an interview with Canadian media. Photo: *CTV News*

"My life is here, with my husband. I love him. I don't want to leave. But what has happened has given me a terrible view of the US," she stated.

During her detention, Ayla, the Warners' daughter, tried to be strong and befriended other children, but "just wanted to go home," according to Tania. However, the girl developed a persistent rash and was given Benadryl.

The family's lawyer is processing the release of the mother and daughter after posting a 15,000 USD bond. ICE has not commented on the information provided by the Warner family.

Amelia Boultbee, a British Columbia Member of Parliament, is advocating for the Canadian government to intervene diplomatically and legally to secure the release of the mother and daughter, but noted that Ottawa's course of action remains unclear.

"The detention of a Canadian family in the US is almost unprecedented. There is no clear precedent to reference, diplomatically or legally," Boultbee explained. Global Affairs Canada declined to provide detailed information due to personal privacy concerns.

This incident occurs as ICE intensifies its stringent crackdown and deportation campaigns across the US under orders from President Donald Trump, sparking significant public debate in the country.

By Duc Trung (According to *Guardian*, *AP*, *National Post*)