Kiwi Green Card Holder Faces Six More Weeks in ICE Detention Despite Long-Resolved Conviction

Everlee Wihongi, a New Zealand woman and lawful permanent resident of the United States, has been ordered to remain in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention for an additional six weeks before her next court hearing. The decision came after her detention began on April 10 when she re-entered the US following a family holiday in New Zealand.

Wihongi’s family, all US citizens, say they are at a loss to understand why she is being held. She entered the country on a valid Green Card and has no recent criminal history. The only blemish cited is a marijuana possession conviction from over ten years ago—a charge that was resolved long ago and should not warrant prolonged detention.

Her mother, Betty Wihongi, described her daughter as “pretty upset” by the judge’s decision to set the next hearing date for June 10, effectively extending her incarceration in ICE custody for six more weeks. The family has struggled to find legal assistance, receiving no support from New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but has now secured a lawyer to represent Everlee.

This case spotlights the cruel and often arbitrary nature of ICE detention policies, where individuals with minor or historic offenses can be locked away for extended periods without clear explanation or timely judicial review. It also underscores the lack of international diplomatic support for citizens caught in the US immigration enforcement system.

Everlee Wihongi’s story is a stark reminder of the human cost behind ICE’s heavy-handed immigration enforcement. As the US continues to detain thousands under similar circumstances, accountability and transparency remain urgently needed to prevent unnecessary suffering and uphold basic rights.