New Zealand citizen Everlee Wihongi detained 70 days over cannabis conviction later thrown out
Apr 1, 2026·Location: California
Country of origin: New Zealand

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.
Sources
- Kiwi ICE detainee Everlee Wihongi on 'dehumanising conditions' in custody
- 'Not yet free': Kiwi woman detained for 73 days by ICE in 'horrific' ordeal
nzherald.co.nz·Jun 29, 2026·archived copy
- Locked up for 22 hours a day: What life is like for New Zealander Everlee Wihongi detained in ICE facility
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