Tania Warner, a mother from Penticton, B. C., has described the "absolutely terrifying" conditions she and her seven-year-old daughter, Ayla Lucas, experienced while detained in a Texas immigration facility. Warner and her daughter were apprehended at a U. S. border checkpoint on March 14 while returning home to Kingsville, Texas, from a baby shower. She says the experience has been "the worst day of our lives".
Warner and her daughter were initially held at the Central Processing Center, known as "Ursula," the largest CBP detention facility, for five days. They have since been moved to the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Dilley, Texas. Warner described the conditions at the Ursula holding facility in McAllen as "horrible prison conditions" and a "sensory deprivation chamber," emphasizing it is "no place for a child". Ayla, who has autism, is struggling with over-stimulation, stress and a disruption to her routines. She has also been complaining about being “very itchy” since day three in detention from a rash that covers most of the lower half of her body, as well as her elbows. Tania believes it's caused by a combination of stress and the commercial cleaners they've been given to clean their ICE-issued clothing.
Independent MLA for Penticton-Summerland, Amelia Boultbee, has expressed deep concern about Warner's detention and is advocating for her and her daughter's release. Boultbee stated that Penticton would welcome Tania and her family back into the community. Global Affairs Canada has acknowledged awareness of multiple cases of Canadians detained by U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and has received several requests for help. A spokesperson said consular officials advocate for Canadian citizens abroad but cannot exempt them from local legal processes.
Warner is urging other immigrants to "lay low" and avoid checkpoints, even with proper documentation, warning of the risks of navigating the U. S. immigration system. Her family maintains that she was legally in the U. S. on a worker's visa. The family is scrambling to raise enough money to pay for legal help.
