Green Card Holder Detained in Texas Begs ICE to Deport Him
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
A green card holder has asked to be deported from the United States, saying he is suffering chronic pain in a Texas immigration detention center where he has allegedly not received treatment for his sickle cell disease, according to the Houston Chronicle.
Deon Lewis, 43, has been a legal permanent resident since 1993, the outlet reported. He was born with a medical condition that affects blood flow, can cause significant pain, and may lead to organ damage or stroke.
"It's only a matter of time before something really bad happens to me," he told the Houston Chronicle. "Why haven't I been deported yet? I've been begging these people to deport me."
A member of his legal team has even highlighted his criminal record in a bid to secure speedy deportation so that he can be treated.
Newsweek has contacted the family via GoFundMe and Immigration and Customs Enforcement for comment via email.
Deon Lewis, 43, has been a legal permanent resident since 1993, the Houston Chronicle reported. He was born with a medical condition that affects blood flow, can cause significant pain, and may lead to organ...
Deon Lewis, 43, has been a legal permanent resident since 1993, the Houston Chronicle reported. He was born with a medical condition that affects blood flow, can cause significant pain, and may lead to organ damage or stroke. More
GoFundMe
Why It Matters
President Donald Trump has ordered his administration to remove millions of undocumented migrants as he looks to fulfill his campaign pledge of widespread mass deportations.
In addition to people living in the country without legal status, immigrants with valid documentation, including green cards and visas, have been detained.
Immigration authorities have been under increased scrutiny amid allegations of misconduct, with the agency at the center of the national debate over immigration policy. Concerns have been raised over the legality and human impact of ICE's enforcement practices.
What To Know
Lewis has undergone lung surgery and previously had access to medication that supported his daily functioning, the Houston Chronicle reported.
Lewis has been held in Houston since June 30, following a prior detention in Louisiana, according to the outlet. His attorneys told the outlet he has been denied medication in Texas and has fainted due to the pain caused by his condition.
In mid-July, he agreed to a stipulated removal order, waiving his right to appeal or seek judicial review, as his main goal is simply to be released, according to the Houston Chronicle.
Lewis has a criminal history dating back to 2002, when he was arrested for cocaine possession, pleaded guilty, and received probation, according to the Houston Chronicle. In 2020, he was arrested again on charges of possessing marijuana and cocaine, as well as carrying a firearm.
"I've been in this country since I was 11 years old. Yeah, I did something wrong," he said. "Since then, I went on to start my own business. I've got five children that I take care of. I've never been on child support for any of them," he told the outlet.
A spokesperson for ICE said in a statement: "He is the definition of a threat to public safety and will remain in ICE custody until his removal can be carried out."
Lewis said that he and his wife, Roxanne Lewis, had offered to cover his travel costs themselves to help get him out of the country.
"And that's without me even knowing what I'm going into. I just want to get out of here so I can get medical attention," Lewis said.
What People Are Saying
Roxanne wrote in a post on GoFundMe: "Deon is an asset to his community and has been for over 30 years in the United States. He is a business owner. Providing jobs and transportation to the public. Please help Deon to be released and free from this horrible situation which has affected, devastated, destroying all of us so much."
Rina Gandhi, an attorney on Lewis' team, told the Houston Chronicle: "He's not fighting or disputing removal — he's trying to leave due to his severe health concerns and everyone agrees to his removal. So why is he still here? His rap sheet shouldn't matter. If anything, it should speed things up."
What Happens Next
Lewis will remain in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.
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