Everlee Is Free

Hi,

Everlee is free.

She has finally walked out of the Eloy detention centre in Arizona – 70 days after being kidnapped by ICE.

She will be reunited with her mother Betty and other family members shortly.

After two months of messing around – including the yesterday's depressing update – things moved suddenly.

At 4.30pm Arizona time on June 17, a US Attorney for the Department of Homeland Security emailed Everlee's lawyer Marc Christopher:

“The Government plans to file a motion to dismiss the above case without prejudice. I am writing to ask for your position on our planned motion. I intend to file the motion by Noon AZ time tomorrow.”

The family's position was clear: "Obviously he didn't oppose," Everlee's mother Betty told Webworm.

"We were able to call Everlee and tell her and she is so pumped. This has been a roller coaster of emotions. Somehow in the past couple of hours with all the phone calls and stink we were kicking up this US Attorney received notification and now we are here."

Everlee's lawyer Marc Christopher promptly submitted the motion to dismiss Everlee's case, and then it was a waiting game to get the judge's signature.

"I won’t believe that Everlee is out until she is actually outside the doors," Betty told Webworm yesterday.

Then today – Friday – Everlee was suddenly marked "released" on ICE's database. This was unusual, as it appeared the judge had still not signed off. Chistopher texted Betty this explanation:

"No order is in the system. However, ICE does have discretion to release her even without the judges order. So maybe they released her."

It was an anxious time for Everlee's family, as they still hadn't heard from her directly: Her phone was off. Crickets.

Just after 12pm Arizona time, the New Zealand consulate messaged Betty more encouraging news: 

Hi Betty, Everlee has been confirmed as released. I will give you a call when I have a bit more information, but I am working on it ASAP.

Then, moments ago, the consulate confirmed it. Betty just texted me this:

"7am, dropped off at the International Welcome Center in Phoenix."

That is where Everlee is: A welcome centre.

Dropped back into society in the same messy way she was kidnapped: Information dribbling out in a truly maddening way.

As I send this Webworm, her family is en route.

And, finally, proof. Everlee's phone is on, and this joyous group call is taking place.

Thank you for following and caring about Everlee's story here on Webworm. Your support means the world.

When the dust settles, I'll bring you a conversation with Everlee. But right now, I think she deserves some family time. She's been through a lot, and she has a lot to recover from.

David.

The Everlee Wihongi Series So Far:

April 20: When You're Daughter Is Kidnapped by ICE
April 25: The ICE Detention Centre Housing Everlee Wihongi
April 28: Everlee Will Remain Locked Up For Another Month
May 6: Did Winston Peters Lie About Everlee?
May 10: Everlee Has Disappeared
May 13: Everlee Has Been Found in Arizona
May 28: Everlee Update
June 7: Story Updates: June 7 Edition
June 14: Story Updates: From The June 12 Hearing
June 18: ICE F**ks With Everlee (Again)