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  "description": "Webworm can report that Everlee Wihongi is finally free.",
  "path": "/everleeisfree/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-06-19T19:50:44.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.webworm.co",
  "tags": [
    "webworm.co/everleeisfree",
    "including the yesterday's depressing update",
    "When You're Daughter Is Kidnapped by ICE",
    "The ICE Detention Centre Housing Everlee Wihongi",
    "Everlee Will Remain Locked Up For Another Month",
    "Did Winston Peters Lie About Everlee?",
    "Everlee Has Disappeared",
    "Everlee Has Been Found in Arizona",
    "Everlee Update",
    "Story Updates: June 7 Edition",
    "Story Updates: From The June 12 Hearing",
    "ICE F**ks With Everlee (Again)"
  ],
  "textContent": "****Thankyou,****_****Webworm****_****subscriber, for making this reporting on Everlee Wihongi possible. Please share this story far and wide:**** webworm.co/everleeisfree\n\nSupport Webworm\n\nHi,\n\nEverlee is free.\n\nShe has finally walked out of the Eloy detention centre in Arizona – 70 days after being kidnapped by ICE.\n\nShe will be reunited with her mother Betty and other family members shortly.\n\nJump To Comments\n\nAfter two months of messing around – including the yesterday's depressing update – things moved suddenly.\n\nAt 4.30pm Arizona time on June 17, a US Attorney for the Department of Homeland Security emailed Everlee's lawyer Marc Christopher:\n\n> _“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.”_\n\nThe family's position was clear:_\"Obviously he didn't oppose,\"_ Everlee's mother Betty told _Webworm_.\n\n_\"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.\"_\n\nEverlee'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.\n\n_\"I won’t believe that Everlee is out until she is actually outside the doors,\"_ Betty told _Webworm_ yesterday.\n\nThen 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:\n\n> _\"No order is in the system. However, ICE does have discretion to release her even without the judges order. So maybe they released her.\"_\n\nIt was an anxious time for Everlee's family, as they still hadn't heard from her directly: Her phone was off. Crickets.\n\nJust after 12pm Arizona time, the New Zealand consulate messaged Betty more encouraging news:\n\n>  _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._\n\nThen, moments ago, the consulate confirmed it. Betty just texted me this:\n\n> _\"7am, dropped off at the International Welcome Center in Phoenix.\"_\n\nThat is where Everlee is: A welcome centre.\n\nDropped back into society in the same messy way she was kidnapped: Information dribbling out in a truly maddening way.\n\nAnd, finally, _proof._ Everlee's phone is on, and she sends this selfie with a welcome centre worker:\n\nAs I send this _Webworm_ , her family is en route, and this joyous group call is taking place.\n\nThank you for following and caring about Everlee's story here on _Webworm_. Your support means the world.\n\nWhen 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.\n\n_David._\n\n* * *\n\n## **The Everlee Wihongi Series So Far:**\n\n**April 20:** When You're Daughter Is Kidnapped by ICE\n**April 25:** The ICE Detention Centre Housing Everlee Wihongi\n**April 28:** Everlee Will Remain Locked Up For Another Month\n**May 6:** Did Winston Peters Lie About Everlee?\n**May 10:** Everlee Has Disappeared\n**May 13:** Everlee Has Been Found in Arizona\n**May 28:** Everlee Update\n**June 7:** Story Updates: June 7 Edition\n**June 14:** Story Updates: From The June 12 Hearing\n**June 18:** ICE F**ks With Everlee (Again)",
  "title": "Everlee Is Free",
  "updatedAt": "2026-06-19T22:53:21.782Z"
}