A Canadian mother and her seven-year-old daughter have been detained by U.S. immigration authorities, despite having valid visas. Tania Warner and her daughter, Ayla Lucas, who has autism, were on their way back to Kingsville, Texas, from a baby shower when they encountered a checkpoint in Sarita, about 130 kilometers from the U.S.-Mexico border.
Details of the Detention
Last Saturday, Tania and Ayla were stopped alongside Tania’s husband, Edward Warner. Family friends—Mario Muñoz and Lizette Gonzales—reported that Edward received a call informing him of the detention. Initially, he assumed it was a routine procedure and believed their paperwork was in order.
Initial Reactions
- Edward Warner texted Mario Muñoz stating they were being fingerprinted.
- Muñoz thought they would be released quickly, but they were taken to a processing facility.
- Tania and Ayla were later relocated to the Dilley Detention Center in San Antonio.
This prolonged detention has left Edward struggling to maintain communication with his family. Concerned friends express heartbreak over the situation, especially regarding Ayla’s well-being.
Context of Crackdown on Immigration
The Globe and Mail highlighted that the U.S. has seen an increased crackdown on immigration that has affected Canadians, including children. As of January, approximately 207 Canadians have faced detention since the beginning of President Donald Trump’s administration, with 130 Canadians detained in 2024 alone.
Democratic Congressman Vicente Gonzalez has reached out to the Warner family and is working to secure Tania and Ayla’s release. In a statement, he emphasized Tania’s integral role in the Kingsville community and condemned the detention of families like theirs.
Canadian Government’s Response
While the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has not provided comments, Global Affairs Canada is aware of multiple cases of Canadians in immigration-related detention. They have not confirmed specifics regarding Tania and Ayla’s situation.
Family Background and Concerns
Tania Warner’s cousin, Amber Sinclair, indicated that Tania had moved to the U.S. a few years back and was compliant with immigration laws, holding a green card, a work permit, and a valid visa effective until 2030. Sinclair is perplexed as to why Tania and Ayla were detained despite their valid qualifications.
The family is particularly worried about the psychological impact of detention on Ayla, who is on the autism spectrum. Reports of mistreatment of individuals with autism in detention centers have heightened their concerns.
Crowdfunding Legal Support
Following the detention, Tania has managed to briefly communicate with her husband through short phone calls. The family has initiated a fundraiser to secure legal representation, emphasizing their financial challenges in this stressful time.
While there is hope for a timely release, the family remains frustrated. Sinclair expressed her anger not only for Tania and Ayla but also for the broader implications of immigration enforcement affecting hardworking individuals and families.
