A Filipina green card holder, Lewelyn Dixon, has been detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under the administration’s immigration crackdown, despite living in the US for nearly 50 years.

Dixon, a laboratory technician at the University of Washington, returned to Seattle on 28 February from a vacation in the Philippines. Upon arrival, she was detained at Customs and has been held at the Northwest Detention Center ever since. The exact reason for her detention remains unclear, and her family has not been officially informed of the reason.

“We haven’t officially been told why she’s being held. They just keep saying they’re waiting for documents,” Dixon’s niece said. She said that if Dixon had a criminal record or issues, they would have been discovered by now. Dixon has had no previous legal or immigration issues.

Green card holders are legal residents of the US and are entitled to live, work, and access services in the country, but they can still be deported under certain circumstances. This case is notable as it marks the first reported instance of a detained Filipino green card holder under the current immigration policies.

Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega confirmed on 24 March that Dixon’s case is the first of its kind. He also revealed that approximately 20 other Filipinos in the US are currently facing deportation proceedings.

Dixon’s family and legal team are awaiting clarification on the situation and continue to advocate for her release, insisting that her longstanding legal status should not be jeopardized by this detention.