Key Takeaways
• Lewelyn Dixon, a 64-year-old green card holder, detained March 2, 2025, for a 2001 embezzlement conviction.
• Traveling abroad triggered Dixon’s detention due to immigration laws targeting green card holders with past convictions.
• Her next immigration court hearing is set for July 17, 2025, after nearly three months in detention.
A longtime United States 🇺🇸 resident, Lewelyn Dixon, is fighting to stay in the country after being detained by immigration authorities over a 24-year-old embezzlement conviction. Dixon, a 64-year-old green card holder, has lived in the United States 🇺🇸 for more than five decades. Her case shines a light on how immigration enforcement policies can affect even those who have called the United States 🇺🇸 home for most of their lives.
Who is involved? Lewelyn Dixon, a lawful permanent resident (green card holder) originally from the Philippines, is at the center of this case.
What happened? Dixon was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after returning from a trip abroad, due to a conviction for embezzlement from 2001.
When and where did this occur? She was detained on February 28, 2025, at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and transferred to the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma, Washington on March 2, 2025.
Why is this happening? U.S. immigration law allows for the deportation of green card holders with certain criminal convictions, especially when they travel outside the country and attempt to reenter.
How is the case unfolding? Dixon remains in detention as of late May 2025, with her next immigration court hearing set for July 17, 2025.
Let’s break down the details, the legal background, and what this means for Dixon, her family, and other green card holders in similar situations.
The Case of Lewelyn Dixon: A Life in the United States 🇺🇸
Early Life and Immigration Journey
Lewelyn Dixon moved to the United States 🇺🇸 from the Philippines when she was just 14 years old. For over 50 years, she has lived, worked, and built her life in the country. Before her detention, Dixon worked as a laboratory technician at the University of Washington and lived in Edgewood, a suburb of Seattle, with her niece, Madonna Cristobal.
Dixon’s story is not unusual among immigrants who arrive as children and spend most of their lives in the United States 🇺🇸. Many become deeply rooted in their communities, contributing to society and supporting their families.
The Embezzlement Conviction
The reason for Dixon’s current legal troubles dates back to 2001. At that time, she was convicted of embezzling about $6,500 from the bank where she worked. For this non-violent crime, Dixon:
- Was sentenced to 30 days in a halfway house
- Was ordered to pay $6,400 in fines
- Did not serve time in prison
Her attorney, Benjamin Osorio, points out that Dixon completed her sentence and has not had further legal trouble since then. However, the conviction remains on her record and is now the basis for her possible deportation.
Why Did Dixon’s Old Conviction Lead to Detention Now?
The Trigger: International Travel
Dixon’s attorney explains that her recent trip outside the United States 🇺🇸 “triggered the issue” with immigration authorities. Under U.S. immigration law, green card holders with certain criminal convictions can be stopped and detained when they try to reenter the country after traveling abroad.
If Dixon had not left the United States 🇺🇸, she likely would not have faced removal proceedings. This is because the law treats green card holders differently depending on whether they are inside the country or seeking to reenter after travel.
Key Point: Traveling internationally can put green card holders with old criminal convictions at risk of detention and deportation, even if the conviction is decades old.
Legal Limbo: Inadmissible Yet Eligible to Naturalize
Dixon’s situation is especially complicated. Her attorney describes her as being in a “weird legal position of being both inadmissible and eligible to naturalize.” This means that, despite her old conviction, she could have applied for U.S. citizenship if she had not traveled. But because she left and returned, immigration authorities now consider her “inadmissible” and are seeking to deport her.
Dixon had traveled internationally several times before without any problems. This time, however, she was stopped by Customs and Border Protection at the airport, then transferred to ICE custody.
The Detention and Its Impact
Detained for Months
Dixon was detained on February 28, 2025, and as of May 29, 2025, she remains at the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma, Washington. She has been held for nearly three months, waiting for her next immigration court hearing, which is scheduled for July 17, 2025.
Family Hardship
Dixon’s detention has been devastating for her family. Her niece, Madonna Cristobal, describes her as “the rock of our family.” Dixon has supported relatives through marriages, divorces, pregnancies, and the births of children. The family received no explanation from ICE at first, leaving them confused and worried.
Cristobal had to inform Dixon’s employer about her absence, adding to the family’s stress. The uncertainty around Dixon’s case has left her loved ones anxious about her future and the possibility of her being sent back to the Philippines, a country she left as a teenager.
The Legal and Policy Background
How U.S. Immigration Law Treats Green Card Holders with Criminal Records
Green card holders, also known as lawful permanent residents, have many rights in the United States 🇺🇸. However, they are not immune from deportation. Certain criminal convictions, even non-violent ones from many years ago, can make a green card holder “removable” under U.S. law.
The law is especially strict when it comes to “crimes involving moral turpitude” (CIMT). This is a legal term for crimes that involve dishonesty or fraud, such as embezzlement. If a green card holder is convicted of a CIMT, they can be found inadmissible or removable, especially if the crime happened within five years of entering the United States 🇺🇸 or if the sentence was more than one year. However, even older convictions can cause problems when a person travels and tries to reenter the country.
For more details on how criminal convictions affect green card holders, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) provides official guidance on deportability and inadmissibility.
The Role of International Travel
When a green card holder leaves the United States 🇺🇸 and returns, they are treated almost like a new applicant for admission. This means immigration officers can review their entire history, including old criminal convictions, and decide whether to allow them back in. This is what happened to Lewelyn Dixon.
Changing Immigration Enforcement Priorities
Increased Focus on Criminal Records
Dixon’s case is unfolding at a time when immigration enforcement is focusing more on people with criminal records. According to Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, “In the first 100 days under President Trump and Secretary Noem, 75% of arrests ICE made were of criminal illegal aliens.” While Dixon is not undocumented, her case shows that lawful permanent residents are also under increased scrutiny if they have any criminal history.
Federal agencies have shifted resources to immigration enforcement, with agents who usually handle other crimes now working on immigration cases. This means more green card holders with old convictions could face detention and deportation, especially if they travel internationally.
Advice for Green Card Holders
Immigration lawyers are now urging green card holders with any criminal record to:
- Avoid international travel if possible
- Apply for U.S. citizenship if they are eligible
Becoming a U.S. citizen provides protection against deportation that a green card does not. Once someone is a citizen, they cannot be removed from the country for old criminal convictions (except in rare cases of fraud during the citizenship process).
As reported by VisaVerge.com, these changes in enforcement have made it more important than ever for green card holders to understand the risks of travel and the benefits of naturalization.
What Happens Next for Lewelyn Dixon?
The Upcoming Immigration Court Hearing
Dixon’s next court date is set for July 17, 2025. At this hearing, an immigration judge will review her case and decide whether she can remain in the United States 🇺🇸 or will be deported to the Philippines 🇵🇭.
Her attorney will likely argue that Dixon deserves to stay because:
- She has lived in the United States 🇺🇸 for over 50 years
- She has strong family and community ties
- Her crime was non-violent and happened more than two decades ago
- She has paid her debt to society
However, immigration law gives judges limited power to forgive certain types of convictions, especially those considered crimes involving moral turpitude.
Possible Outcomes
There are several possible outcomes for Dixon:
- Deportation Ordered: The judge could order her removed to the Philippines 🇵🇭.
- Relief Granted: The judge could find a legal way for her to stay, such as granting a waiver or other form of relief.
- Continued Detention: The case could be delayed, leaving Dixon in detention for more time.
The outcome will depend on the judge’s interpretation of the law and the specific facts of Dixon’s case.
Broader Implications for Immigrants and Their Families
Green Card Holders at Risk
Dixon’s case is a warning for other green card holders with old criminal convictions. Even if you have lived in the United States 🇺🇸 for decades, have a job, and support your family, you can still face deportation if you travel abroad and try to return.
Key risks include:
- Being stopped at the airport and detained by immigration authorities
- Facing long periods in detention while waiting for a court hearing
- Possible separation from family and loss of your home in the United States 🇺🇸
The Importance of Legal Advice
If you are a green card holder with any criminal record, it is important to:
- Consult with an immigration attorney before traveling outside the United States 🇺🇸
- Consider applying for U.S. citizenship if you are eligible
- Know your rights and the possible consequences of international travel
Impact on Families
Cases like Dixon’s have a deep impact on families. Loved ones may be left without support, both emotionally and financially. The uncertainty and stress can last for months or even years.
Practical Steps for Green Card Holders
If you are in a situation similar to Lewelyn Dixon, here are some steps you can take:
- Check your eligibility for U.S. citizenship. The USCIS citizenship eligibility tool can help.
- Speak with an immigration lawyer about your criminal record and travel plans.
- Avoid international travel if you have any criminal convictions until you get legal advice.
- Keep records of your time in the United States 🇺🇸, your family ties, and your community involvement, as these can help in court.
Conclusion: The Ongoing Challenge for Long-Term Immigrants
Lewelyn Dixon’s fight against deportation shows how U.S. immigration law can affect even those who have spent most of their lives in the country. Her case highlights the risks green card holders face when they have old criminal convictions and travel internationally. It also shows the importance of understanding your rights and seeking legal advice.
For Dixon and her family, the coming months will be filled with uncertainty as they wait for the court’s decision. For other immigrants, her story is a reminder to be careful, stay informed, and take steps to protect their future in the United States 🇺🇸.
If you or someone you know is a green card holder with a criminal record, consider reaching out to an immigration attorney and reviewing official resources like the USCIS policy manual for more information on deportation and admissibility.
By staying informed and taking action, green card holders can better protect themselves and their families from the risk of deportation.
Learn Today
Green Card → A document granting lawful permanent residency and right to live and work in the United States.
Deportation → The legal process of removing a non-citizen from the United States for violating immigration laws or crimes.
Embezzlement → A criminal offense involving theft or misappropriation of funds placed in one’s trust or belonging to an employer.
Crimes Involving Moral Turpitude → Legal term for crimes rooted in dishonesty or fraud impacting immigration admissibility and removal.
USCIS → United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, the government agency overseeing lawful immigration and naturalization.
This Article in a Nutshell
Lewelyn Dixon faces deportation after 24-year-old conviction triggers detention on reentry. Despite 50 years in the US, old crimes risk permanent residents when traveling internationally.
— By VisaVerge.com
