Shaw is on what is known as a “combo card” visa – an employment visa, which she obtained through her employment at a maximum security juvenile facility, and an I-360 visa, which can grant immigration status to domestic violence survivors.

Shaw had recently received a letter confirming her visa renewal, not realising that the I-360 element of her visa was still pending approval.

“It wasn’t until she tried to come back across the border that she realised only half of the combination card – because it’s only one physical card – had been fully approved,” said Besancon.

Border officials did not need to detain Shaw and could have filed for humanitarian parole, Besancon said. Meanwhile, all three of Shaw’s children have had their I-360 visas approved, and Besancon alleged her youngest son was therefore being detained “illegally”.