Article #14731

Everlee Wihongi, 37, holds a green card but was detained upon her return to Los Angeles due to an issue with a historic conviction for marijuana possession

The family of a New Zealand woman detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is pleading with the New Zealand government to help secure her release, claiming she is confined to a room with 46 people for 22 hours a day.

Everlee Wihongi, 37, moved to the US with her family aged six, and holds a green card, her mother, Betty Wihongi, told local broadcaster RNZ.