(NEW HAMPSHIRE) A Canadian-born man adopted by American parents and raised in the United States since age 3 was blocked from returning home after a routine family trip to Canada, underscoring how even a longtime green card holder can face reentry denial over decades-old criminal convictions.
Chris Landry, a lawful permanent resident since 1981, was stopped at the U.S.–Canada border in Houlton, Maine, and told he could not reenter because of past offenses from 2004 and 2007—marijuana possession and driving with a suspended license. He had lived in New Hampshire for more than 40 years with his partner and their five U.S.-citizen children when officers with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) revoked his reentry privilege, citing his criminal record.
CBP officials told Landry that having a green card is a privilege, not a right, and said green card holders with certain convictions may be detained, placed in removal proceedings, or have their status challenged if laws are broken. The agency’s position tracks long-standing enforcement practice: a lawful permanent resident returning from a trip abroad is still subject to inspection and can be treated as an “arriving alien” if certain grounds apply, including criminal history.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, such cases often hinge on how border officers interpret older records and whether those records fit statutory grounds of inadmissibility.
The Border Stop: Immediate Impact
Landry’s offenses—now nearly two decades old—led to suspended sentences and fines. He had no further criminal record. But the impact at the border was immediate and severe.
- He was told his only path back into the U.S. would be to appear before an immigration judge, a process that could take months or longer.
- Stranded in Canada, he was separated from his life in New Hampshire and described shock and fear at being treated like a criminal after decades as a resident father and partner in the community.
For families, the human toll was immediate: Landry’s partner and five children—all U.S. citizens—were left without him while he sought a way back.
Legal Push and Resolution
A legal push sought relief in the criminal courts. A judge ultimately vacated his prior convictions. With those findings erased, the barrier at the border fell and Landry was allowed to reenter and return to his family.
He now plans to apply for U.S. citizenship, a move he hopes will secure his future and prevent repeat problems.
“Once a court vacated Landry’s convictions, the basis for his exclusion evaporated, and he was readmitted.”
Legal experts note that vacating convictions—when based on legal or constitutional flaws in the original cases—can clear immigration obstacles. That is what happened here.
Policy Gap Affecting Long-Term Residents and Adoptees
Landry’s case highlights a policy gap affecting long-term residents, including adoptees brought to the U.S. as children.
- Some intercountry adoptees received automatic citizenship under the Child Citizenship Act of 2000, but many did not—particularly those who turned 18 before the law took effect.
- As a result, thousands grew up American in every way but paperwork, placing them at risk of deportation or reentry denial if a past conviction—no matter how old—triggers inadmissibility at the border.
Recent legislative efforts, including the 2025 PAAF/ACA bill, aim to provide pathways for adoptees and other long-term residents who were deported or denied entry due to unresolved criminal records. Proposals vary, but the shared goal is to fix the legal gap that leaves people like Landry in limbo outside the country they call home.
Advocates argue that adoptees raised in the U.S. should not be exiled for mistakes from years past, particularly when they lack ties to their birth countries. Critics counter that laws must be enforced consistently and that criminal history remains relevant at entry.
Current Rules and Official Guidance
For now, the rules remain strict. CBP officials stress that lawful permanent residents must be admissible each time they seek to enter the United States. Certain criminal convictions can trigger inspection, detention, or proceedings, even when a person has lived in the country for decades.
USCIS reminds permanent residents that status carries rights and responsibilities, and that criminal conduct can put status at risk. Readers can review official guidance on lawful permanent residency on the USCIS site: Rights and Responsibilities of a Lawful Permanent Resident.
Practical Steps for Permanent Residents Before Traveling
For other permanent residents—especially those who are Canadian-born—these steps may reduce risk before international travel:
- Gather certified court records for any past charges, including proof of dismissals, vacaturs, or expungements.
- Consult a qualified immigration attorney if you have any criminal history, even old misdemeanors.
- Keep proof of ties to the United States—home, work, family—when traveling abroad for short trips.
- If stopped at the border:
- Stay calm.
- Ask for written explanations.
- Seek legal advice immediately.
- Consider pursuing naturalization when eligible, since citizenship removes most grounds for inadmissibility at entry.
Broader Debate and Next Steps
CBP’s stance is clear: a green card does not guarantee entry. Officers can place returning residents into proceedings, and CBP may treat some as applicants for admission when certain triggers exist.
This reality raises unresolved policy questions about proportionality—whether dated, low-level offenses should block a father’s return after a weekend trip with relatives. Landry’s case will likely fuel ongoing debates about immigration enforcement at the border, especially for adoptees and longtime residents.
- Supporters of reform point to deep family and community ties at stake.
- Opponents emphasize consistent enforcement and relevance of criminal history at entry.
- Both sides agree the current system leaves little room for nuance during port inspections, pushing life-changing decisions into hurried encounters.
Where Landry Is Now
In New Hampshire, Landry is back where he says he belongs. He’s focused on work, his partner, and their five kids.
The experience left scars—fear, confusion, and the feeling that decades as a neighbor and parent counted for less than lines on an old docket. Yet the court’s decision to vacate his convictions opened the door, literally and legally.
His next step is naturalization, and with it the hope that his family will never face a border stop like that again.
This Article in a Nutshell
Chris Landry, a Canadian-born man adopted and raised in the U.S. since age three, was denied reentry at the U.S.–Canada border in Houlton, Maine, because of marijuana possession and driving-with-suspended-license convictions from 2004 and 2007. Despite permanent residency since 1981 and more than 40 years living in New Hampshire with his partner and five U.S.-citizen children, CBP treated him as inadmissible and said green card holders can be inspected and denied entry. After legal challenges, a judge vacated Landry’s convictions, allowing him to return; he now plans to pursue naturalization. The case underscores policy gaps affecting adoptees and long-term residents who lack automatic citizenship under the Child Citizenship Act of 2000 and fuels debate over proportionality in border enforcement.
