Detained B.C. mother describes ‘terrifying’ conditions in Texas immigration facility

A British Columbia mother and her seven-year-old daughter are detained at an immigration holding facility in Texas, prompting warnings about the risks of navigating the U.S. immigration system.

Detention in Texas

Tania Warner, originally from Penticton, B.C., has been in custody for two weeks after she and her daughter, Ayla Lucas, were stopped at a U.S. border checkpoint while returning home to Kingsville, Texas. The two were traveling from a baby shower in Raymondville on March 14 and stopped at a border patrol checkpoint in Sarita.

Warner described the experience as “the worst day of our lives.” She and her daughter were held at the Central Processing Center, known as “Ursula,” for five days before being moved to the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Dilley, Texas. Warner characterized conditions at Ursula as “absolutely terrifying” and “horrible prison conditions,” adding, “No place for a child in any way, shape or form.” She said the facility felt like a “sensory deprivation chamber” with no windows or natural light.

Warner says her daughter, who is on the autism spectrum, struggled with the environment and developed a rash believed to be caused by cleaning chemicals. She alleges repeated requests for medical help were dismissed until she “had a full on meltdown” about her daughter’s safety, at which point they were transferred to Dilley.

The Dilley processing centre is considered more family-friendly, though Warner says it remains restrictive. She has been living in the U.S. for about five years, initially arriving on a visitor visa to be with her husband, Edward Warner. They married three years ago, and she later obtained a work visa.

Warner says she applied for her work permit and permanent residency independently and had received a prima facie from U.S. immigration authorities, allowing her to remain in the U.S. while her application is processed. “Never in a million years did I think that I would get detained and thrown in jail,” she said. “I have a formal piece of paper that says you’re allowed to be here … we were unlawfully detained.”

Advocacy and Concerns

Independent MLA for Penticton-Summerland Amelia Boultbee says it is deeply concerning to see someone from her community being held in a U.S. detention centre and is advocating for their release. Boultbee says Penticton would welcome Tania and her family back “with open arms.”

Democratic Texas Congressman Vicente Gonzalez has stated Tania has a valid work permit and should not be in detention, calling for her and Ayla’s immediate release. Tania has a bond hearing scheduled for Tuesday, with a potential bond set at up to $10,000.

Warner says she is considering voluntary deportation but is anxious about the lack of information regarding the process. “It would be the financial burden to restart again, somehow,” she added. “My life is here [in Texas] … this is the only home my daughter has known.” She is urging others to reconsider immigration plans, stating many detainees are not criminals but people navigating complex immigration processes.

“I’m scared … for myself, my daughter and others.”

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services referred CBC News to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for comment. CBC has not received a response from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security or ICE.