A mother and daughter from Canada who have been held in an immigration facility in Texas for the past two weeks have been granted bond by a judge, allowing them to return home on Wednesday. Tania Warner expressed a mix of relief and fear due to the bond amount during a call with CBC News from the detention facility in Dilley, Texas. Warner, along with her seven-year-old daughter, Ayla Lucas, were deemed not a flight risk by the judge after their immigration lawyer presented evidence that they had filed all necessary documents and had approval from the federal government to extend their stay legally in the U.S.
The decision shifts their court case from a detained status to a non-detained one, leading to upcoming hearings to determine their status in the country. Tania’s husband, Edward Warner, is now working to secure the $9,500 US bond needed for their release. The Warner family has resided in Kingsville, Texas, for over four years.
The mother and daughter were taken into custody on March 14 at a state border patrol checkpoint in Sarita, Texas, following a baby shower. Describing the experience as a sudden turn from a joyful day to their worst, Tania mentioned her compliance and surprise at the detention, as they had crossed similar checkpoints without any problems before.
Originally from Penticton, British Columbia, Tania Warner was in the process of obtaining a green card, which involved significant costs and background checks. Despite the ordeal, her husband emphasized her diligence in maintaining updated immigration paperwork. The pair was initially held at a processing center in McAllen, Texas, before being relocated to a detention facility for immigrant families in the state.
The transition to state-issued clothing and the removal of ribbons from Ayla’s hair were particularly distressing for Warner, highlighting the challenges faced during their detention.