Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has set free a health worker who was taken into custody at an airport, despite this individual residing in the United States legally for five decades.

A Green-Card Holder's Nightmare: The Long Road Home After a Run-In with the Law

After three grueling months in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention, Lewelyn Dixon, a 64-year-old lab technician at the University of Washington, is finally home. Dixon, a Filipino green-card holder, was released from the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma, Washington, following a court ruling that deemed her ineligible for deportation.

The ordeal began back in late February when Dixon was arrested at Seattle-Tacoma Airport after returning from a visit to the Philippines. With legal permanent status in the U.S. for half a century under her belt, Dixon had kept a dark secret hidden from her loved ones: a decades-old embezzlement conviction. This seemingly innocuous past indiscretion apparently caught the attention of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, leading to her detainment.

Outside the detention facility, Dixon expressed her gratitude to a crowd of supporters and recounted her experiences. "It was a living nightmare," she said, according to local NBC affiliate King5. "It’s crowded – super crowded. They release some, bring others back, release a few, bring more."

Following her release, Dixon spent the evening reconnecting with her family. "Last night, we had dinner together as a family and just chatted," stated her niece, Lani Madriaga, on Friday. "She’s just getting readjusted."

Benjamin Osorio, Dixon’s attorney, explained to NBC News that Dixon’s embezzlement conviction was the likely trigger behind her detainment at the airport. As a vault teller and operations supervisor at Washington Mutual Bank, Dixon had removed unauthorized cash from the vault on eight separate occasions, amounting to $6,460 in total. In 2000, she pleaded guilty to the nonviolent offense and served 30 days in a halfway house, court documents reveal. By 2019, Dixon had completed her restitution payments.

Despite having lived in the U.S. since her teenage years and being eligible for citizenship, Dixon maintained her Filipino nationality to retain property in her native country. Nevertheless, her attorney believes that Dixon may not have fully grasped the risks associated with her green card status.

Incidentally, Dixon’s experience in ICE custody wasn’t all misery. During her time there, she tried to help her fellow detainees navigate the immigration and court systems. In fact, she plans on maintaining contact with them post-release. Her niece notes that this harrowing episode has not deterred Dixon from lending a helping hand to others.

The Dixon case isn’t isolated. The Trump administration's crackdown on immigration has left its mark on other green-card holders. In early May, Maximo Londonio, a 42-year-old green-card holder, was detained at an airport in Seattle after returning from a family vacation. Londonio's family believes his previous nonviolent convictions may have been the reason for his detention.

Another legal permanent resident, Fabian Schmidt, was also detained in March after being arrested at the Boston Logan International Airport. The German national, who had a previous marijuana misdemeanor conviction, was eventually released in May after filing a motion to terminate the immigration proceedings.

As the Trump administration's tough stance on immigration continues, green-card holders with past convictions, even minor ones, should exercise caution and consult legal professionals to protect their rights and maintain their legal status. Before traveling abroad, it's advised to apply for a re-entry permit if planning to be away for more than six months to demonstrate a commitment to legal residency.

In the midst of her struggles, Lewelyn Dixon found a way to help others during her time in ICE custody. Showing empathy, she aims to keep in touch with her fellow detainees post-release.

Through her ordeal, Lewelyn Dixon's focus on health-and-wellness didn't waver; she reconnected with her family upon her release and is now prioritizing her mental health.

With growing concerns about politics and immigration, it's essential for green-card holders to educate themselves about the due process, especially in regards to their options for re-entry permits, as highlighted by the recent cases of Dixon, Londonio, and Schmidt.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has set free a health worker who was taken into custody at an airport, despite this individual residing in the United States legally for five decades.