Canadian Mom Detained By ICE With Autistic Daughter Speaks Out: 'Terrified'

Tania Warner, a Canadian citizen living legally in Texas, and her 7-year-old autistic daughter Ayla were snatched up by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in March at a Texas border checkpoint. Despite possessing valid work authorization and legal status, they were held for almost three weeks in the notorious Dilley Detention Center, a facility repeatedly condemned for inhumane conditions.

Warner’s story exposes the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration policies that do not just target criminals or “the worst of the worst” as promised, but also snare families lawfully residing in the country. Warner and Ayla were fingerprinted, separated from her husband, and subjected to harsh treatment including exposure to toxic cleaning chemicals that caused persistent rashes.

Released on a $9,500 bond, Warner now faces the constant threat of re-arrest. She must wear an ankle monitor, check in regularly with ICE, and travel past checkpoints for mandated meetings — all while fearing another detention. “I’m terrified, I don’t know if they’re going to try to re-detain us,” she told The Guardian.

This case is far from isolated. Reports continue to emerge of immigrants with legal status being swept up in ICE’s dragnet, highlighting the administration’s disregard for due process and human dignity. Conditions at Dilley have been described as “unsafe and degrading,” particularly for children, despite DHS claims of comprehensive medical care.

Warner’s plea is clear: the people held in these detention centers are victims, not criminals. Their suffering is a direct consequence of a brutal immigration enforcement regime that prioritizes fear and punishment over justice and humanity. As the Trump administration doubles down on its crackdown, stories like Warner’s underscore the urgent need for accountability and reform.