Peters initially told press gallery reporters that his advice to Kiwis on US Green Cards who have historic convictions is for them to declare those convictions.
When asked if he was saying Everlee Wihongi didn't declared a prior conviction, Peters replied yes.
The woman will spend another six weeks in the facility awaiting her next hearing with a judge.
She was taken into Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention when re-entering the US on April 10 following a family holiday in New Zealand.
Her family said they do not know why she was being held, as she was travelling on a Green Card and they are all US citizens.
Wihongi had a historic conviction for possession of marijuana that had been dealt with more than 10 years ago.
Betty Wihongi said her daughter appeared before a judge, who set a re-call date for June 10. She said Everlee was pretty upset about the extended detention.
The family had been searching for a skilled lawyer and said they have not had any assistance from New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFAT).
Betty Wihongi said they have now retained a lawyer.
Peters said Everlee Wihongi has received "constant consular assistance", but added that the matter was going through a process internationally and that New Zealand cannot intervene.
"We can do our best to help, that's all we can do," he told media today.
Asked if MFAT had a responsibility to support Everlee Wihongi, Peters said: "MFAT has provided all the support it can, but it does not provide legal support in that context - it never has, otherwise it would cost us an absolute fortune."
When asked if he agreed with the US immigration policy and the way it was being implemented, Peters said: "It is not our responsibility to comment other countries' immigration policy. We don't do that - it's their democracy, that's for American voters to decide."
The ministry told RNZ today it continued to provide consular assistance to the family, but for privacy reasons could not comment on the details of any individual case.
This story was first published on rnz.co.nz |  |
