The case of Donna Hughes Brown, the Irish citizen and US green card holder who has been in ICE detention since July, is set to be reviewed by the US Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem.
Hughes Brown, who was born to Irish parents in England and raised in the US since she was a child, was arrested at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport in July when she and her husband Jim Brown were returning from Ireland.
About ten years ago, Hughes Brown, who was facing hard financial times as a single mother, wrote two bad checks while grocery shopping. She was charged with a misdemeanor, paid the restitution, and completed one year of probation.
Hughes Brown is understood to have been detained in July under the Immigration and Nationality Act, which was amended by President Trump on July 4 as part of his so-called 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act.'
According to the Irish Times, the changes stipulate that any foreign-born resident of the US who has violated any law whatsoever at any stage over the previous two decades can be deemed inadmissible or barred from entry to the US.
It came into effect on July 24, when the Browns were already in Ireland. Hughes Brown has been in the Campbell County Detention Center in Kentucky since July.
Her case was raised twice during a House Homeland Security Committee hearing on 'Worldwide Threats to the Homeland' in Washington, DC, on Thursday, December 11, by two Democratic Congressmen - Representative Lou Correa and Representative Seth Magaziner.
US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, a close Trump ally, was among the witnesses during Thursday's hearing.
The green card holder's case was also previously raised last month during a hearing hosted by the House Committee on Homeland Security Democrats.
Hughes Brown's husband, a decorated retired Navy combat veteran, testified during last month's hearing and was present for this week's hearing.
"Secretary Noem, Trump administration, you are going after the worst of the worst criminals, and we agree with you," Rep Correa said to Noem during Thursday's hearing.
"The problem is, 70% of the people you arrested have no criminal record. You're going after noncriminal immigrants, US citizens, and permanent legal residents.
"Donna Hughes Brown, Irish citizen, green card holder, 48 years in the United States. She also happens to be the mother of a US Marine, sister to a retired Army colonel.
"She is in ICE detention since July. She tried to come back from Ireland, arrested, has been there since then.
"Her crime? She wrote two bad checks for less than $80 a decade ago.
"You arrested her, she's in custody. Her husband Jim Brown came to us and told us her story. Jim told us, 'I voted for President Trump because he promised to go after criminals in our community, not people like my wife.'"
Correa then played a video for Noem of Brown admitting that he voted for Trump because he's "an idiot," adding that Evangelical Christian people "were lied to." He said he and his wife are ministers who help the needy.
Addressing Noem, Correa said: "These people, Donna Hughes Brown, are not the individuals that should be deported."
You can watch Correa address Noem here:
Presdient Trump promised to go after the worst criminals. Detaining Donna Hughes-Brown, who’s been in the USA for 48 years, whose son is a US Marine, and brother a retired Army Colonel, make our streets safer?
— Rep. Lou Correa (@RepLouCorrea) December 11, 2025
Many cases of parents of US Marines being apprehended. These… pic.twitter.com/8g6iRTnSC5
Hughes Brown's story was raised again later by Rep Seth Magaziner, who introduced Brown to Noem and highlighted how he is a combat veteran.
"Because of you, Jim's wife Donna has been in prison for the last four months," Magaziner told Noem.
"She did not come here illegally, and she has never committed any crime other than writing two bad checks totalling $80 ten years ago. She is currently in prison and facing deportation."
Magaziner asked Noem "what possible explanation could there be" for "locking up" Hughes Brown.
Noem responded: "Sir, it is not my prerogative, my latitude, or my job to pick and choose what laws in this country ..."
Magaziner interjected: "You have broad discretion as the Secretary. You can issue parole, you can do all kinds of things, but you're choosing not to.
"Will you commit, again, to just reviewing Donna's case and reuniting this combat veteran with his beloved wife, who also loves this country?"
Noem said: "I will review the case."
You can watch Magaziner address Noem here:
Meanwhile, a GoFundMe to "Support Jim and Donna's Fight for Justice and Freedom" has raised more than $14k since being launched in August.
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