PH consulate in contact with Filipino green card holder detained in US
Londonio, who was returning to the US after a vacation in the Philippines, was intercepted by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and placed under administrative proceedings due to a 2002 conviction for grand theft.
He is currently detained at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Detention Facility in Tacoma.
'The Philippine Consulate has been notified of the arrest of Filipino nationals by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (CBP-SEA-TAC) and has verified their detention in the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Tacoma, Washington (ICE-Tacoma)," the Philippine Consulate told GMA Integrated News in a message.
"The Philippine Consulate, through its ATN (Assistance-to-Nationals) Section, and in cooperation with the Philippine Honorary Consulate in Portland, Oregon, has also been coordinating with U.S. immigration authorities to ensure that the detainees are treated in accordance with the law and that their rights are respected,' it added.
Consulate representatives have also spoken with Londonio's family and are closely monitoring the progress of his case.
'The Consulate likewise remains committed to extending appropriate assistance to Filipino nationals across its jurisdiction regardless of immigration status, while respecting U.S. laws as well as individual privacy.'
"Unfortunate"
According to immigration lawyer and Bergenfield, New Jersey Mayor Arvin Amatorio, green card holders with prior convictions are not guaranteed protection from detention or deportation.
'It's unfortunate to hear about Maximo Londonio's predicament. Even if a conviction, such as the one he received in 2002, is over two decades old, U.S. immigration law can still consider it grounds for denial of entry or detention—especially for crimes involving moral turpitude,' Amatorio told GMA Integrated News in a message.
'If ICE considers his conviction a deportable offense, it will likely issue an NTA (Notice to Appear). The NTA is the charging document used in removal or deportation proceedings,' added Amatorio.
For this reason, Amatorio advises green card or permanent resident holders to apply for naturalization as soon as they become eligible.
'For those in similar situations, I urge them not to hesitate and to explore naturalization if they meet the eligibility criteria. It can significantly impact their lives.' —VAL, GMA Integrated News
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