Canadians in ICE detention centres left in legal limbo as families try to secure release

Relatives of Canadians detained by ICE in the United States say they're furious and frustrated by the treatment of their loved ones and the battles they're having to fight for even the most basic information. 

Global Affairs Canada said it's aware of roughly 55 Canadians in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody, though it said that the numbers can fluctuate. 

Cynthia Olivera — born in Mississauga, Ont., but living in Los Angeles — was arrested last month when she and her husband went to an immigration office to complete an interview for her U.S. citizenship application. Paula Callejas of Montreal was in the process of finalizing a work visa when she was arrested for a misdemeanor — and then transferred to an ICE facility.

Olivera and Callejas's families told CBC News the weeks since their arrests have been a nightmare, filled with phone calls to lawyers and ICE bureaucracy.

"We're completely concerned for her overall safety and health," a member of Callejas's immediate family told CBC News. CBC is not naming the family member over concerns they may have their own immigration issues while travelling to the U.S.

Olivera's husband, Frank Olvera, said what was meant to be a routine immigration interview ended up feeling more like a trap.

"We were flabbergasted," Olvera told CBC News. "No due process."

Olivera, 45, moved to the U.S. with her family when she was young, her husband said. The two met in the '90s, married (she kept her last name), had children together and have been living in L.A. since then.

"About two years ago, since the children are now older, we decided to hire a lawyer and start the immigration process the correct way," Olvera said.

But instead of completing the interview, Olivera was arrested by immigration officials over a decades-old border issue, her husband said.

"They lured us into our immigration appointment … took my wife, put her in handcuffs, swept her away," he said.

"They didn't even give us an opportunity at the interview. Nothing."

Olvera said that in 1999, Olivera had travelled to Canada to attend her mother's funeral and was initially denied re-entry because she was pregnant and told border agents she planned to have the child in the U.S.

Olivera is now being held by ICE at a detention centre in El Paso, Texas, Olvera said.