Maximo Londonio held by U.S. Customs and Border Protection after trip home

Key Takeaways

• Maximo Londonio detained at Seattle-Tacoma Airport May 15, 2025, under new Lincoln Riley Act rules.
• The Lincoln Riley Act mandates detention of green card holders with certain past convictions, even decades old.
• Filipino-American community protests detention, fearing impact on millions of lawful permanent residents with old offenses.

On May 15, 2025, Maximo “Max” Londonio, a 42-year-old Filipino green card holder and longtime resident of Olympia, Washington, was detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Londonio had just returned from the Philippines, where he celebrated his 20th wedding anniversary with his wife and daughter. Instead of a joyful homecoming, he found himself in custody, facing possible deportation due to a nonviolent conviction from over two decades ago. His case has quickly become a flashpoint for the Filipino-American community and immigrant rights advocates across the United States 🇺🇸, raising urgent questions about recent changes in immigration enforcement and the rights of lawful permanent residents (LPRs).

Why Was Maximo Londonio Detained?

Londonio’s detention is rooted in a 2002 grand theft conviction from his youth, for which he served a 7-month sentence. Although he has traveled internationally several times since then without incident, new immigration policies enacted in January 2025 have changed the landscape for green card holders with any criminal history. Under the Lincoln Riley Act, passed by Congress earlier this year, LPRs with certain past convictions—including theft—must be detained and placed in removal proceedings upon reentry to the U.S., even if the conviction is decades old and the sentence has been fully served.

CBP officials confirmed that all persons arriving at a U.S. port of entry are subject to inspection and an admissibility determination under longstanding immigration law, specifically Section 291 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), codified at 8 USC 1361. However, citing privacy restrictions, they declined to discuss the specifics of Londonio’s case.

What Happened at the Airport?

When Londonio landed at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, he was pulled aside for secondary inspection—a process where CBP officers conduct additional questioning and review of documents. According to his family, he was detained on the spot after officers discovered his old conviction in their database. He has been held in custody since May 15 and, as of May 21, may soon be transferred to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility for a removal hearing.

This process is not unique to Londonio. Under current policy, all returning green card holders can be flagged for secondary inspection if they have any prior convictions, regardless of how long ago the offense occurred or whether they have since led law-abiding lives.

The Filipino-American Community Responds

Londonio’s detention has sparked widespread concern and protest within the Filipino-American community, which numbers over 4 million in the United States 🇺🇸. Hundreds of thousands of Filipinos in the U.S. hold green cards, and many now fear that even minor or old convictions could put their status at risk.

Community rallies have taken place in Olympia and Seattle, with supporters demanding Londonio’s release and calling for changes to the new enforcement policies. The Tanggol Migrante Network, a migrant rights advocacy group, has been vocal in supporting the Londonio family and demanding transparency and due process from federal authorities. The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Local 695, where Londonio works as a lead forklift driver, has also issued a statement backing him and working with his employer to protect his job during his detention.

Crystal Londonio, Maximo’s wife, has publicly described the emotional and financial toll the detention has taken on their family. She warns that the chilling effect of these policies is spreading, with many in the Filipino-American community now afraid to travel abroad for fear of being detained upon return.

What Does the Law Say?

The Lincoln Riley Act and INA Section 291

The Lincoln Riley Act, passed in January 2025, is the key legal basis for Londonio’s detention. The law requires CBP to detain and initiate removal proceedings against certain non-citizens, including green card holders, with past convictions for crimes such as theft—even if those convictions are old and the sentence has been served. This represents a significant tightening of immigration enforcement against LPRs.

Section 291 of the INA (8 USC 1361) places the burden of proof on the arriving non-citizen to show they are admissible to the United States 🇺🇸. If CBP determines that a prior conviction makes someone inadmissible or deportable, they can detain the individual immediately.

Crimes Involving Moral Turpitude

Immigration attorney Michael Gurfinkel explains that theft offenses are classified as “crimes involving moral turpitude” under U.S. immigration law. This means that even nonviolent theft convictions can make a green card holder deportable, especially under the new, stricter policies. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the Lincoln Riley Act has dramatically expanded the grounds for detention and removal of LPRs, including for old, nonviolent offenses.

How the Detention Process Works

For green card holders returning to the U.S., the process can unfold as follows:

1. Inspection at Port of Entry: All LPRs are subject to inspection. If flagged for a prior conviction, they may be referred to secondary inspection.
2. Detention by CBP: If CBP believes the conviction may make the person inadmissible or deportable, they can detain the individual immediately.
3. Transfer to ICE Facility: The detainee may be moved to an ICE detention center while awaiting a removal hearing.
4. Removal Proceedings: The individual will appear before an immigration judge, where they can contest removal or seek relief, such as cancellation of removal or waivers.
5. Legal Representation: It is critical to secure an experienced immigration attorney as soon as possible to prepare a defense and navigate complex legal requirements.

For official information on removal proceedings and rights, visit the U.S. Department of Justice Executive Office for Immigration Review.

The Human Impact: Real-Life Consequences

Londonio’s story is not an isolated incident. In recent months, there has been a spike in detentions of Filipino green card holders at U.S. ports of entry, including at least two other high-profile cases in Washington state this year. Many of those detained, like Londonio, have lived in the United States 🇺🇸 for decades, built families, and contributed to their communities.

The emotional and financial strain on families is severe. Detainees are often unable to contact loved ones or access legal counsel promptly. Families may lose their primary breadwinner, and children can be left without a parent. The lack of transparency and communication from federal authorities only adds to the distress.

Example: The Dixon Case

Earlier in May 2025, Lewelyn Dixon, another Filipino green card holder in Washington state, was detained under similar circumstances. After intense community advocacy and legal intervention, Dixon was released from ICE detention. However, the experience left lasting scars on his family and heightened anxiety within the broader immigrant community.

Policy Implications: A New Era of Enforcement

The Lincoln Riley Act and related executive actions under President Trump have changed the rules for green card holders. Before 2025, LPRs with old convictions often faced extra screening but were usually allowed to reenter the country if they had completed their sentences and had no recent offenses. Now, detention and removal proceedings are mandatory for a much broader range of past convictions.

Legal experts warn that these changes undermine the principles of rehabilitation and proportionality. Community advocates argue that the policies disproportionately affect communities of color, separate families, and create fear among immigrants who have long considered the United States 🇺🇸 their home.

What Should Green Card Holders Do?

If you are a green card holder with any past conviction—even if it is decades old and nonviolent—it is important to:

• Consult an experienced immigration attorney before traveling abroad. An attorney can review your record and advise on possible risks.
• Gather documentation showing rehabilitation, family ties, employment, and community involvement.
• Be prepared for secondary inspection at the port of entry. Carry contact information for your attorney and family.
• Know your rights: You have the right to legal representation in removal proceedings, though not at government expense.
• Contact advocacy organizations like the Tanggol Migrante Network or your union for support if detained.

Community and Union Support

Londonio’s union, IAM Local 695, has pledged to support him and work with his employer to protect his job during his detention. Unions and advocacy groups can play a crucial role in providing resources, publicizing cases, and connecting families with legal assistance.

Due Process and Transparency Concerns

Families and advocates report a lack of transparency from federal authorities. Detainees are often held without timely access to legal counsel or the ability to communicate with loved ones. Advocacy groups are calling for reforms to ensure due process, including:

• Timely notification of detention
• Access to legal representation
• Clear communication with families

Legal Challenges and Future Outlook

Advocacy groups and immigration attorneys are preparing legal challenges to the Lincoln Riley Act and related enforcement actions. They argue that the policies violate due process and equal protection rights under the U.S. Constitution. There are also calls for Congress and the Department of Homeland Security to review and potentially amend the new enforcement policies, especially as more cases like Londonio’s come to light.

Community mobilization is expected to continue, with protests, public campaigns, and diplomatic pressure from the Philippine government and diaspora organizations. The outcome of these efforts could shape the future of immigration policy for years to come.

Official Contacts and Resources

If you or someone you know is affected by these policies, the following resources may be helpful:

• U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP): General inquiries at 1-877-227-5511
• U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE): Detainee locator and information at 1-888-351-4024
• Tanggol Migrante Network: Advocacy and support for Filipino migrants
• IAM Local 695: Union support and updates
• Legal Assistance: Find an experienced immigration attorney through the American Immigration Lawyers Association

Key Facts at a Glance

Conclusion: What Londonio’s Case Means for Immigrants

The detention of Maximo Londonio is a stark reminder of the far-reaching consequences of recent U.S. immigration policy changes for lawful permanent residents with old convictions. His case has galvanized advocacy efforts, exposed due process concerns, and raised urgent questions about the future of immigrant rights and family unity under the current enforcement regime. As more cases like Londonio’s come to light, the Filipino-American community and other immigrant groups are demanding transparency, fairness, and a reconsideration of policies that threaten to separate families and upend lives built over decades in the United States 🇺🇸.

For green card holders, the message is clear: know your rights, seek legal advice before traveling, and stay informed about policy changes. For policymakers and advocates, Londonio’s case is a call to action to ensure that immigration laws reflect both the need for security and the values of justice and compassion.

For more detailed analysis and ongoing updates, VisaVerge.com reports that the situation remains fluid, with legal and community responses evolving as new cases emerge. Stay connected with trusted sources and official government pages for the latest information.

Learn Today

Lincoln Riley Act → A 2025 law requiring detention of green card holders with past convictions upon reentry to the U.S.
Green Card Holder → A lawful permanent resident authorized to live and work indefinitely in the United States.
Removal Proceedings → Legal process where non-citizens may contest deportation before an immigration judge.
Secondary Inspection → Additional questioning and document review conducted by CBP for certain travelers at U.S. ports of entry.
Crimes Involving Moral Turpitude → Offenses implying immorality, like theft, which can affect immigration status under U.S. law.

This Article in a Nutshell

Maximo Londonio’s detention at Seattle-Tacoma Airport under new policies highlights risks for green card holders with old convictions. This case has sparked community protests and legal challenges, raising urgent questions about immigration enforcement and immigrant rights in the U.S. The Lincoln Riley Act expands grounds for detention and removal dramatically.
— By VisaVerge.com

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