Key Takeaways
- Everlee, a New Zealand citizen, was transferred from “Camp East Montana” (a large ICE detention facility in Texas) to an unknown location after disappearing from the ICE detainee‑locator system.
- The family reports that ICE frequently moves detainees between jurisdictions to hinder lawyers’ ability to track them and to delay court proceedings, forcing the case to start over each time.
- Everlee’s mother, Betty, describes the detention environment as loud, unsanitary, and psychologically draining, noting that constant relocation is taking a severe toll on her daughter’s well‑being.
- The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) confirms it provides consular assistance but reiterates that it cannot influence U.S. immigration decisions or disclose case specifics.
- The family is urging MFAT and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters to press the U.S. government for transparency about Everlee’s whereabouts and to ensure she receives a timely day in court, while emphasizing they are covering their own costs and do not seek financial aid.
Background on Everlee’s Detention
Everlee, a New Zealand national, was initially held at the ICE‑run “Camp East Montana” in Texas, a facility that houses roughly 3,000 detainees per day. Former detainees have described the camp as excessively loud, unsanitary, and conducive to the rapid spread of illness, with sleep often described as a luxury. According to Betty, Everlee’s mother, the family first learned of her location through the online ICE detainee locator system, which listed her as being at this Texas site.
Disappearance from the Locator System
Shortly after the family noted Everlee’s presence at Camp East Montana, she vanished from the ICE detainee‑locator system. Journalist David Farrier reported that her name no longer appeared in the database, prompting immediate concern. The lack of a traceable record left the family uncertain whether she had been transferred, released, or otherwise moved within the ICE network. This disappearance triggered a frantic search for information about her current whereabouts.
New Information: Transfer to an Arizona Airport
On Monday night, Betty received word that Everlee was being held at an airport in Arizona. Officials told her that her daughter should not get comfortable, as another move was imminent, though the destination remained unknown. Betty expressed frustration that the authorities gave no timeline or clear explanation for the transfer, leaving the family in a state of continual anxiety about where Everlee might be sent next.
Impact of Frequent Transfers on Legal Proceedings
Betty explained that each time Everlee is moved to a different jurisdiction, all prior court appearances and legal preparations are effectively nullified. “Every time you are moved, your court appearances, everything that you had before disappears and you start at the bottom again,” she said. This pattern forces the family’s lawyer to repeatedly re‑file motions, reschedule hearings, and rebuild the case from scratch, dramatically prolonging the legal process and increasing costs.
Lawyer’s Observations on ICE Tactics
According to Betty, their attorney has noticed a growing trend of ICE relocating detainees specifically to impede legal representation. By shuffling individuals between facilities and states, ICE makes it difficult for lawyers to maintain consistent contact, track case progress, and secure timely court dates. This tactic, she said, is part of a broader strategy that makes detainees’ lives “miserable and hard,” undermining their ability to defend themselves effectively.
Emotional and Psychological Toll on Everlee
The constant upheaval is taking a visible toll on Everlee, who Betty describes as normally happy and outgoing. “Just the moving around, the facilities, the guards, just everyone, it’s just their job to make your life miserable and hard,” Betty remarked. Everlee’s greatest fear, according to her mother, is that the family will lose track of her entirely, leaving her stranded and unable to locate her within the sprawling detention system. The uncertainty exacerbates stress, anxiety, and a sense of helplessness for both Everlee and her loved ones.
Family’s Appeal to New Zealand Government
In response to the worsening situation, the family has renewed its calls for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters to intervene. They ask the New Zealand government to inquire with U.S. authorities about why Everlee is being moved so frequently, why she cannot have a day in court, and what steps can be taken to secure her release or a fair hearing. Importantly, the family emphasizes that they are covering their own expenses and are not seeking financial assistance; they simply want diplomatic pressure and transparency.
MFAT’s Position on Consular Assistance
When approached by RNZ, MFAT reiterated its standard stance: the New Zealand government cannot influence the immigration decisions of other sovereign states. A spokesperson confirmed that consular officials remain in regular contact with Everlee and her family, providing the usual assistance available to detained citizens abroad. However, MFAT declined to comment on case‑specific details, referring further inquiries to the ministry and noting that, as of this month, it is aware of two New Zealand citizens currently detained in the United States.
Conclusion
Everlee’s case illustrates the challenges faced by foreign nationals caught in the U.S. immigration detention system, particularly when frequent transfers disrupt legal proceedings and family communication. The family’s experience highlights the human cost of bureaucratic opacity, the emotional strain of constant relocation, and the limits of consular support when a home government lacks authority over foreign immigration policies. Their ongoing appeal for greater transparency and diplomatic engagement underscores the need for coordinated efforts to protect the rights and wellbeing of detained citizens overseas.