CBP explains detention of Filipino green card holders at US airports
FILE PHOTOS
NEW YORK — Filipino green card holders are increasingly anxious about traveling back to the Philippines, as the risk of detention upon returning to the United States has become a growing concern.
“All persons arriving at a port of entry to the United States are subject to inspection,” US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said in response to Inquirer.net USA’s inquiry about the recent surge in detentions of Filipino green card holders, who arrived at US airports after traveling abroad.
“As part of CBP’s national security mission, officers routinely determine the admissibility of foreign nationals using longstanding U.S. immigration law. Lawful permanent residents convicted of offenses considered to be crimes involving moral turpitude, including aggravated felonies, can legally lose their status and be removed. Crimes involving moral turpitude include offenses such as grand theft and the use or distribution of controlled substances.”
CBP told Inquirer.net USA that “federal privacy restrictions prohibit CBP from discussing specifics of most travelers’ admissibility inspection, but this much we can confirm. The INA lists more than 60 grounds of inadmissibility divided into several major categories.”
“Lawful permanent residency for foreign citizens in the United States is a privilege,” the CBP added.
Recent reports indicate that many Filipino green card holders are being detained at US airports, often due to prior criminal convictions – even if those offenses are nonviolent or occurred years ago.
Immigration experts say that under federal law, certain crimes – particularly crimes involving moral turpitude and aggravated felonies – can render lawful permanent residents inadmissible or deportable, regardless of whether they have served their sentences or resolved their cases in criminal court.
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The surge in detentions of Filipino green card holders has been noted since President Donald Trump’s second term began in January 2025, according to news reports.
The CBP and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have intensified scrutiny of returning green card holders. Individuals with any criminal history, even minor or old offenses, may be flagged for secondary inspection, detained or placed in removal proceedings.
Experts also note that some detentions are due to administrative errors, unresolved paperwork or suspicions of violating residency requirements, such as prolonged stays outside the United States.
The Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 expanded the list of deportable offenses and limited judicial discretion, making it easier for authorities to detain and deport green card holders for a broad range of criminal convictions. Certain convictions trigger mandatory detention under Section 236(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Legal analysts emphasize that lawful permanent residents have rights during removal proceedings.
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ICE cannot revoke a green card on the spot; instead, the government must initiate a process by issuing a Notice to Appear. An immigration judge then conducts a hearing before ordering removal, if appropriate.
During this process, the government must present clear and convincing evidence, and green card holders have the right to contest allegations, present evidence and be represented by legal counsel. Until a judge issues a removal order, they retain their lawful status.
Recent cases highlight the issue.
Maximo Londonio and Rodante Rivera reportedly face deportation due to nonviolent offenses committed in their youth.
Maximo ‘Max’ Londonio, a Filipino green card holder and father of three, was detained at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport after returning from a family vacation in the Philippines, prompting protests and calls for government accountability. Photo from KIRO 7
Lewelyn Dixon and Michelle, both long-term residents, have been detained – likely due to criminal history concerns or technical immigration violations.
Lewelyn Dixon was arrested at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and placed in ICE custody after returning from the Philippines in late February. FILE PHOTO (Photo from Melania Madriaga)
While enforcement of immigration laws has been consistent across administrations, advocates say the frequency and visibility of detentions have increased recently.
Michelle, a California resident and single mother of three, has lived in the United States since 1996.
On Feb. 12, she was detained by ICE at San Francisco International Airport after returning from the Philippines. Despite possessing valid documents and being a domestic violence survivor, Michelle was flagged for additional screening, shackled and transferred from an ICE facility in Bakersfield, California, to the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma, Washington, due to overcrowding.
Michelle spent 78 days in detention under harsh conditions – including denial of medication for her chronic health issues, such as a benign brain tumor and pre-diabetes.
She reported being unable to eat or sleep properly, describing her experience as traumatic. Her hands and feet were chained, and she was fed undercooked food. Her detention caused significant emotional and financial hardship for her children, for whom she is the sole provider.
Advocacy groups such as Tanggol Migrante Network and Migrante USA organized protests, legal filings and community support for her release.
On April 30, after a three-hour immigration hearing and a rally outside the detention center that drew nearly 200 supporters, an immigration judge canceled her removal order, allowing her to remain in the United States and reunite with her family.
Michelle’s case has drawn attention to the challenges faced by Filipino migrants under current US immigration enforcement, as well as criticism of the Philippine government’s response.
Michelle, a Filipino green card holder and mother of three, was released from the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma, Washington, after being detained since February. Her release follows months of legal battles and advocacy by groups like Tanggol Migrante and the Filipino community. FILE PHOTO (Photo from Tanggol Migrante)
She and other released detainees have become symbols of resilience and the importance of community advocacy.
The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco has expressed its commitment to providing assistance – including legal and financial support – to Filipino citizens detained in the United States, regardless of immigration status.
Organizations like Tanggol Migrante continue to advocate for detained migrants, organizing rallies, providing legal aid and demanding accountability from both US and Philippine authorities.
Tanggol Migrante stages a rally for Max Londonio outside SeaTac Airport on May 19. Photo from Tanggol Migrante
Many Filipino migrants, even those with legal permanent residency, are unaware that their status does not exempt them from detention.
Re-entry into the United States is considered a legal checkpoint, and border agents have broad authority to detain individuals they perceive as threats or anomalies.
Legal literacy remains low among many migrant communities, and Michelle’s case was only resolved through intervention by advocacy groups.
