A New Zealand mother, Sarah Shaw, and her three children ran into trouble while travelling in July. Shaw and her youngest son were stopped at the U.S.-Canada border and taken into custody by immigration officials. The two have since been held at a detention centre in Texas. The Guardian
Sarah Shaw, a 33-year-old New Zealander, remains in a US immigration centre with her six-year-old son. Authorities detained them at the Canada-US border after Shaw dropped off her two older children at Vancouver airport. They were flying home to New Zealand to visit their grandparents.
Shaw had lived in Washington state for more than three years. She never expected her return across the border would end in detention.
A terrifying ordeal
Shaw’s close friend, Victoria Besancon, described the experience as “terrifying.” She said Shaw believed she was being kidnapped. Officers gave her little explanation before escorting her and her son into an unmarked van.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers then took them to the Dilley detention centre in Texas. That is thousands of kilometres from her home and support system. Besancon said Shaw had her phone taken and could not contact anyone right away.
Life inside the centre
According to Besancon, Shaw and her son are locked in their room each night from 8 p.m. until 8 a.m. They cannot wear their own clothes. They are also some of the only English speakers there, which makes the situation even harder.
“It really is kind of like being in jail,” Besancon said.
Visa confusion led to detention
Shaw held a “combo card” visa. Part of it covered her job at a secure juvenile facility. The other part, an I-360 visa, helps survivors of domestic violence. Shaw received a letter confirming her visa renewal. She thought both parts were approved.
But when she tried to cross the border, she learned only one part had gone through. Officials detained her and her son on that basis.
Besancon argued border officers could have granted humanitarian parole instead of locking them up. She also said Shaw’s youngest son should never have been detained, since his visa was already approved.
Heavy toll on family
The situation has devastated Shaw and her children. Her two older children are now in New Zealand without their mother. Meanwhile, Shaw and her youngest son face daily uncertainty.
“She gives therapy and counselling to at-risk youth,” Besancon said. “To see her treated like a criminal is heartbreaking.”
Calls for release
Shaw’s union, the Washington Federation of State Employees, is demanding her release. Union president Mike Yestramski said the detention caused lasting trauma. He condemned current immigration practices, saying they violate human rights.
New Zealand officials confirmed they are in contact with Shaw but offered no further comment, citing privacy.
Shaw’s case joins a growing number of foreign nationals detained despite holding valid visas. Critics say the policies harm families and erode trust.
