By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora
MANILA – The Philippine Embassy in Washington DC confirmed that the Filipina green card holder who was detained upon arrival in the US is still in the custody of law enforcers.
New York-based Newsweek identified the Filipino national as 64-year-old Lewelyn Dixon, who immigrated to the US from the Philippines five decades ago.
The Filipina was reportedly detained by Customs Border Patrol on Feb. 28 upon returning from the Philippines.
Citing her lawyer, Benjamin Osorio, Newsweek said Dixon only had a single non-violent conviction from 2001 that triggered the issue.
The Filipina, the lawyer said, already received 30 days in a halfway house and a USD6,400 fine at that time and “was never ordered to serve any active time in a jail or prison”.
In an ANC interview on Tuesday, Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez cited the report and said he views the development as “unfortunate” if it could happen to someone like Dixon.
“She has already taken in lawyers to be able to help her—they have a very good case of being able to keep her green card and remain in the United States because she already served basically whatever it was,” he said.
Meanwhile, he explained that having a green card is quite different from having a permanent status as it basically only serves as a “privilege” allowing the holder to stay in the US and that the government can easily cancel it anytime.
“These are things that really can happen is what I’m saying,” he said.
“It’s unfortunate that something like this can happen to somebody like Ms. Dixon because this case has happened in 2001 (and she already) served (her sentence).”
The Filipina’s detention comes as the Trump administration promises a massive crackdown on illegal immigration. (PNA)
