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Everlee W.: New Zealander with green card held by ICE more than 70 days

Everlee Wihongi, a longtime U.S. resident from New Zealand, was held over 70 days across three states for a 2016 cannabis conviction later thrown out. She described being called by her bunk number and witnessing children shackled before her release.

Apr 1, 2026CaliforniaCountry of origin: New Zealand

Everlee W.: New Zealander with green card held by ICE more than 70 days
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Everlee Wihongi, a New Zealand citizen and long-term U.S. resident with a green card, was detained by ICE in early April after returning from New Zealand. She was held for more than 70 days because of a 2016 cannabis conviction that was later thrown out by the courts in June. During her detention at facilities in California, Arizona, and Texas, Wihongi described dehumanizing conditions including being referred to by her bunk-bed number rather than her name, extremely early meal times (3:45 a.m. in Arizona), shackling during transit, and witnessing children and pregnant women being shackled and moved between facilities. She has since been released and returned to Wisconsin with her family.

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