Latest news with #Lasquite
Time of India
17 hours ago
- Time of India
‘Lived peacefully for decades': Filipino immigrant with green card detained by ICE after vacation; old narcotics case flags arrest
Image: GoFundMe@/JojiVivianMitsuoHirano A Filipino immigrant and a green card holder with prior criminal charges for distributing controlled substances was detained at Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina on July 28, after returning from a vacation in the Bahamas, reported GMA News Online. Sonny Lasquite has reportedly lived in the US for 23 years and worked as a banquet server in Las Vegas. He is currently in the custody of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Newsweek reported. Lasquite's family and friends have launched a GoFundMe campaign on Saturday seeking $30,000 for legal representation, filing fees, and 'essential expenses to fight for Sonny's right to remain in the US and reunite with his family.' Lasquite's arrest was triggered by a federal system red flag connected to a 2012 narcotics case. From about December 2010 to August 2012, Lasquite 'intentionally and knowingly' possessed with intent to distribute Schedule IV narcotics, including diazepam, alprazolam, zolpidem, and carisoprodol, according to court records from the Southern District of New York, reported Newsweek. However, he quickly accepted responsibility for his actions and cooperated with federal authorities in identifying both charged and uncharged co-conspirators. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo In a 2014 sentencing memorandum, former US Attorney Preet Bharara wrote that Lasquite's assistance helped halt narcotics distribution operations and led to the prosecution of others. "I feel pretty confident that you're not going to commit any crimes in the future, and I join the government in wishing you well and hopefully being able to put this behind you," Bharara said on September 9, 2014. "You are, as the government points out, the only defendant who cooperated," he added. "You did that at some risk to yourself. I think there needs to be recognition of that and proportionate sentencing between you and the other defendants." The court ultimately sentenced Lasquite to time served with no additional prison time and ordered him to pay $200. "Sonny Lasquite is more than a name, he is a beloved son, brother, uncle and friend whose kindness has touched countless lives,' says the GoFundMe, which has raised nearly $11,600 from 56 donations as of Monday morning. "For decades, Sonny has lived peacefully in the United States, working hard, caring for his elderly mother, and always putting others before himself. He is the kind of person who never hesitates to help, greet you with a warm smile, or offer comfort when you need it most." Immigration attorney Rosanna Berardi said that cases like Lasquite's are not uncommon and have been occurring for decades, reported Newsweek. "Under current US immigration law, lawful permanent residents—even those who have lived in the country for most of their lives—remain vulnerable to removal proceedings if they are convicted of certain drug-related offenses. This is true regardless of how much time has passed since the conviction or how significantly they have contributed to their communities in the years afterward.' Lasquite's detention highlights how lawful permanent residents can face immigration enforcement at ports of entry, noting the lasting consequences that past criminal actions can have for long-term residents.
Hindustan Times
20 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Green card holder ICE detention: Why Filipino immigrant, Sonny Lasquite, was held after 23 years living in US
A Filipino immigrant and green card holder, Sonny Lasquite, was detained upon his return from a vacation in the Bahamas. Lasquite has prior criminal charges pertaining to distributing controlled substances. Sonny Lasquite reportedly lived in the US for 23 years and was a banquet server in Las Vegas. (GoFundMe) He was detained at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport in Charlotte, North Carolina, on July 28, and remains in the custody of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Newsweek reported. Why Sonny Lasquite was detained Despite being a green card holder, Lasquite was detained due to a red flag in the federal system, which was linked to a 2012 narcotics case. Newsweek also accessed ICE records which show Lasquite is being detained at the Stewart Detention Center in Stewart County, Georgia. His detention shows how lawful and permanent residents face the risk of deportation or at least detention, based on past criminal activities. What to know about Sonny Lasquite Lasquite reportedly lived in the US for 23 years and was a banquet server in Las Vegas. From around December 2010 to August 2012, Lasquite 'intentionally and knowingly' possessed with an intent to distribute items, including, diazepam, alprazolam, zolpidem and carisoprodol, Newsweek reported. However, the publication also reported that records indicate Lasquite was quick to cooperate, and he did so fully, along with taking responsility for his actions. He also helped the US government identify charged and uncharged co-conspirators, and then-US Attorney Preet Bharara noted that Lasquite helped stop distribution practices of narcotics, and also led to others being prosecuted. Lasquite's sentence was brought down to time served, and he was ordered to pay a fine of $200. He did not have to spend any additional time in jail. His family and friends have started a GoFundMe page for him, so he may fight his legal battles. 'Sonny Lasquite is more than a name — he is a beloved son, brother, uncle, and friend whose kindness has touched countless lives. For decades, Sonny has lived peacefully in the United States, working hard, caring for his elderly mother, and always putting others before himself,' the page says. It notes 'He is the kind of person who never hesitates to help, greet you with a warm smile, or offer comfort when you need it most. Sonny is the primary breadwinner of his family, providing both financial and emotional support to his loved ones. His income helps cover essential expenses, including his elderly mother's medical needs and daily living costs. But today, Sonny, a greencard holder, is facing a crisis that could take him away from everyone who loves him.' The family is seeking money for legal fees so Sonny can fight to remain in the US.
Newsweek
a day ago
- Newsweek
ICE Detains Green Card Holder Returning from Vacation After 23 Years in US
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A Filipino immigrant and green card holder with prior criminal charges for distributing controlled substances was detained at an airport and is currently in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody. Sonny Lasquite was detained after a vacation in the Bahamas by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on July 28 at Charlotte Douglas International Airport in Charlotte, North Carolina, according to relatives who spoke with GMA News Online. Why it Matters Lasquite's arrest was due to a red flag in the federal system linked to a 2012 narcotics case. ICE records reviewed by Newsweek show Lesquite currently being held at the Stewart Detention Center in Stewart County, Georgia. Lasquite's detention illustrated how lawful permanent residents could face immigration enforcement after arrests at ports of entry, raising questions about the consequences of past criminal convictions for long-term residents and the humanitarian impact on families that rely on detained relatives for financial and caregiving support. What To Know Lasquite reportedly lived in the U.S. for 23 years and worked as a banquet server in Las Vegas. From roughly December 2010 to about August 2012, Lasquite "intentionally and knowingly" possessed with the intent to distribute Schedule IV narcotics, including diazepam, alprazolam, zolpidem and carisoprodol, according to court records in the Southern District of New York reviewed by Newsweek. NYPD officers arrest protestors for blocking traffic on Broadway as they protest Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) outside of the Jacob K. Javitz Federal Building on August 08, 2025 in New York City. NYPD officers arrest protestors for blocking traffic on Broadway as they protest Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) outside of the Jacob K. Javitz Federal Building on August 08, 2025 in New York City. Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images But records indicate that he promptly took responsibility for his actions and cooperated with the federal government in identifying charged and uncharged co-conspirators. A 2014 sentencing memorandum by former U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said that Lasquite helped stop narcotics distribution practices and led to the prosecutions of others. "You are, as the government points out, the only defendant who cooperated," Bharara said on September 9, 2014. "You did that at some risk to yourself. I think there needs to be recognition of that and proportionate sentencing between you and the other defendants. "I feel pretty confident that you're not going to commit any crimes in the future, and I join the government in wishing you well and hopefully being able to put this behind you." The court ultimately sentenced Lasquite to time served and no additional prison time, ordering him to pay $200. Lasquite did put that time of his life behind him, according to family and friends in a GoFundMe created Saturday to raise $30,000 to cover legal representation and filing fees, and "essential expenses to fight for Sonny's right to remain in the U.S. and reunite with his family." As of Monday morning, nearly $11,600 had been raised from 56 donations. The fundraiser was started by Vivian Hirono, of Las Vegas, who writes that Lasquite "has had no further legal troubles and has been a law-abiding, contributing member of his community" since his 2012 criminal conviction. Newsweek reached out to Hirono via the GoFundMe page for comment. "Sonny Lasquite is more than a name—he is a beloved son, brother, uncle and friend whose kindness has touched countless lives," the GoFundMe says. "For decades, Sonny has lived peacefully in the United States, working hard, caring for his elderly mother, and always putting others before himself. He is the kind of person who never hesitates to help, greet you with a warm smile, or offer comfort when you need it most." Aside from Lasquite's detention causing his mother's health to "decline under the weight of this stress," his own health is reportedly taking a toll. Lasquite has purportedly faced medical neglect during detention, including delayed access to his blood pressure medication and proper care for his recent fever, according to Hirono. What People Are Saying Vivian Hirono on Sonny Lasquite's GoFundMe page: "Sonny is the primary breadwinner of his family, providing both financial and emotional support to his loved ones. His income helps cover essential expenses, including his elderly mother's medical needs and daily living costs." Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Friday in Illinois called allegations of ICE detaining immigrants without criminal convictions "false," according to NewsNation: "I'm here today because elected leaders in Illinois are ignoring the law. In fact, they're being obstructionists when it comes to getting dangerous criminals off of their streets. They're deciding that dangerous criminals that are murderers, rapists, money launderers, have committed assaults, and that are trafficking children are more important than the families who live in the communities here." What Happens Next Lasquite's case was pending in immigration custody and his legal options were constrained by immigration statutes that treat certain controlled-substance convictions as grounds for removal.
GMA Network
2 days ago
- GMA Network
Filipino green card holder who helped US bust drug syndicate faces deportation
NEW YORK – The family and friends of a Filipino arrested by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are seeking help as he is currently detained at the Stewart Detention Center in Georgia. Border Patrol agents at Charlotte International Airport in North Carolina arrested 44-year-old Sonny Lasquite, a green card holder from Pampanga, on July 28, 2025. According to Dory Hirano, a family friend of Lasquite, they had just returned from a vacation in the Bahamas when he was stopped by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the airport. Joji Hirano, Lasquite's best friend and also a green card holder, told GMA Integrated News that both of them were detained on secondary inspection. Hirano was released after almost an hour, but Lasquite was put on hold after a red flag popped up in the CBP system. Court records show that Lasquite was convicted on August 14, 2012 in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute Schedule IV controlled substances, and for distributing alprazolam and zolpidem. Documents obtained by GMA Integrated News reveal that Lasquite played a key role in dismantling the international operations of his associates. His cooperation with the US Attorney's Office and federal agents led to the conviction of seven individuals, including the group's leader. Because of this, the US Department of Justice recommended a sentence of zero to six months' imprisonment for his guilty plea. In a letter dated July 2014, former US Attorney Preet Bharara, in his sentencing memorandum submitted to Honorable Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald of the Southern District of New York, stated that Lasquite was instrumental in stopping and prosecuting those involved in drug distribution. 'Lasquite provided substantial assistance to law enforcement by supplying information about other people, including those with whom he had conspired to violate federal law,' the document stated. As a result, the court sentenced Lasquite to time served, meaning he was not imprisoned further, and ordered him to pay only $200 in criminal monetary penalties. Since his 2012 conviction, Lasquite has not been involved in any wrongdoing. He has been working as a banquet server in a casino in Las Vegas, supporting his mother. He has lived in the United States for 23 years. Immigration lawyer and Bergenfield, New Jersey Mayor Arvin Amatorio told GMA Integrated News that Lasquite's cooperation was significant but does not guarantee that his deportation will be stopped. "His cooperation with US authorities is significant, but it doesn't automatically stop deportation unless law enforcement steps in to sponsor a special visa or DHS uses prosecutorial discretion," Amatorio said. According to Amatorio, due to the seriousness of his conviction, Lasquite faces the risk of being deported to the Philippines. "Sonny is in danger of deportation because, under US immigration law, any lawful permanent resident convicted of distributing controlled substances—even with a short sentence—can be removed from the country. His conviction counts as both a controlled substance offense and an aggravated felony, and it also involves moral turpitude since it's a serious offense showing intent to break the law." He added that Lasquite's options to stop deportation are very limited. "These grounds block most forms of relief, like asylum or cancellation of removal. There are still limited options. He could apply for withholding of removal or protection under the Convention Against Torture if he can prove serious danger in the Philippines. Another path is post-conviction relief, where the criminal conviction is overturned for legal reasons,' Amatorio said. Lasquite's family has already spoken to representatives of the Philippine Embassy in Washington, DC which is currently monitoring his case. —KG, GMA Integrated News
