A New Zealand mother is currently detained at a US immigration facility alongside her six-year-old son after encountering issues while re-entering the United States from Canada. Her friend and advocate, Victoria Besancon, asserts that Sarah Shaw, 33, is facing unjust treatment that likens her experience to that of a criminal.
Shaw, who has resided in Washington state for over three years, was in Canada to drop off her two older children at the Vancouver airport on July 24. They were set to travel to New Zealand for a vacation with their grandparents. Upon her attempt to return to the US with her youngest son, Shaw was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), an experience Besancon describes as “terrifying.”
“Sarah thought she was being kidnapped,” said Besancon. “They didn’t explain anything to her at first; they quietly took her and her son into an unmarked white van.” Following this incident, ICE confiscated Shaw’s phone and transported them to the Dilley immigration processing center in Texas—far from their home and support system, Besancon explained. Such practices fall in line with the previous policies during the Trump administration that led to similar detentions of immigrants at notable distances from their communities and legal representatives.
Conditions in the detention center have reportedly been challenging. “It has been absolutely horrible,” Besancon added, noting that apart from the staff, Shaw and her son are the sole English speakers in the facility. They are confined to their shared room from 8 PM to 8 AM and are unable to wear their personal clothing. Besancon likened the situation to imprisonment: “It really is kind of like being in jail… it has been absolutely devastating and kind of barbaric.”
Shaw holds a “combo card” visa, which combines an employment visa connected to her work at a maximum-security juvenile facility and an I-360 visa intended for individuals who have endured domestic violence. She had recently received a renewal confirmation for her visa but was unaware that the I-360 portion was still pending approval.
“Only half of her combination card was fully approved,” Besancon stated. Border officials had the discretion to file for humanitarian parole in this case, but opted for detention instead. Interestingly, all three of Shaw’s children have had their I-360 visas approved, and Besancon asserts that the detention of her youngest son is, therefore, unjust.
Besancon, a retired US Navy officer, expressed her dismay at the treatment of Shaw and other immigrants. “It’s so heartbreaking to see people, like Sarah, who are not only legal but are contributing to American society,” she remarked. The situation has taken a significant financial and emotional toll on both Shaw and her son.
“She provides therapy and counseling to at-risk youth, yet she is being treated like a criminal, which has been absolutely devastating,” added Besancon.
Shaw’s case reflects a troubling trend, with various foreign nationals experiencing interrogations, detentions, and deportations at the US border, even when holding valid visas. This includes incidents involving individuals from the UK, Germany, Canada, and Australia.
The Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE), Shaw’s union, has publicly called for her release. Mike Yestramski, the union president and a psychiatric social worker, stated, “The trauma this has caused for her and her son may never heal.” He emphasized that the union “vehemently opposes ICE practices” and believes that the broader immigration policies enabling such treatment are contrary to American values and human rights.
New Zealand’s foreign affairs ministry has confirmed that it is in contact with Shaw but is unable to comment further on the matter due to privacy considerations. The Guardian has reached out to ICE and the US embassy in New Zealand for additional insights.
