Irish woman Cliona Ward, who has been detained in a US immigration facility, is to be released later today, her family has confirmed.
Ms Ward's sister told RTÉ's Prime Time that they have been advised the 54-year-old will be released in the coming hours.
Ms Ward is a green card holder and a long-time resident of California. She was detained on 21 April after travelling to Ireland to see her father last month. Her sister Tracey Ward said news of her release was a "huge, huge relief".
"I was trying to maintain hope today but I know how the system works over there so I was very fearful for her. I'm just completely relieved," she said.
"The outpouring of love worldwide that we've received has been absolutely unbelievable."
Cliona Ward's green card allows her to live and work permanently in the US. On her return following a trip to Ireland, she was detained in relation to a small number of 20-year-old convictions, including traffic-related cases, which she understood had been expunged following a guilty plea.
Her current attorney in Washington State, Erin Hall, told Prime Time that an application was made in California on Friday for the original convictions to be formally vacated in a manner which would be recognised at a federal level.
"It was very clear that Ms Ward didn't make those pleas voluntarily because she wasn't aware of the potential immigration consequences, so there was a constitutional violation," Ms Hall said.
A California judge agreed to the application which allowed Ms Hall to subsequently file a motion to terminate the immigration proceedings. This morning a judge at the Tacoma Immigration Court signed an order ending the removal proceedings.
"Justice was done," Ms Hall said, adding that there had been a lot of community support for the Irish woman, along with trade union and political support from a local congressman, Jimmy Panetta.
"The judge acted very quickly, and I would say this case definitely moved faster than a normal case. I'm glad that that all worked out for her."
Cliona Ward will be met by family and friends who held a demonstration outside the facility earlier today.
"None of us have really been able to sleep properly while this has been going on," her sister Tracey Ward said.
"I'm just completely relieved. I think with Cliona gaining her freedom she will, and the rest of our family will, try and amplify our voices in support of all the people who are going through this unjust system."
Ms Ward added that she was looking forward to a video call with her sister later today.
"My next thing is to see her beautiful face. I'll probably just stare at it and cry."
