Long-Time U.S. Resident with Medical Issues Faces Deportation

United Airlines canceled the deportation flight of Rebecca Pinyerd on January 2, 2026, after advocates and medical professionals urged the carrier and federal officials to halt her removal on health grounds.

Case overview

• Name: Rebecca Pinyerd
• Age: 70
• Status: Green card holder, lived in the United States for 40 years
• Action taken: Scheduled for deportation in early January 2026; flight canceled on January 2, 2026

Pinyerd’s case drew widening attention in late December 2025 and early January 2026 as advocates highlighted her age, long residence in the U.S., and serious medical conditions.

Medical concerns and warnings

Medical professionals warned that travel posed acute risks for Pinyerd, who suffers from:

• Severe kidney disease
• Thyroid issues
• Uncontrolled blood pressure

A key clinical warning came from Dr. Dominic Robolino, who said a 15-hour flight to the Philippines posed a “high risk for venous thromboembolism (blood clots)” that could lead to “sudden death.”

“High risk for venous thromboembolism (blood clots) . sudden death.” — Dr. Dominic Robolino

Medical risk summary (table)

Advocates and the family argued these combined conditions made long-distance travel medically unsafe.

Detention timeline and family advocacy

1. March 2025: Pinyerd was taken into custody during a routine annual DHS check-in.
2. March 2025 – late 2025 / early 2026: She was detained for approximately nine months in various facilities, most recently in Clay County, Indiana.
3. Late Dec 2025 – Jan 2026: Case gained public attention and advocacy intensified.

• Her daughter, April Lowe, became the primary advocate, planning to accompany her mother on the 15-hour flight to the Philippines to ensure continuity of medical care if deportation proceeded.
• Advocates with Tanggol Migrante Chicago (TMC) allege “medical neglect” during the nine-month detention, saying her health worsened significantly while in federal custody.

Criminal history and government rationale

• Central to the government’s case is Pinyerd’s criminal history: she was arrested over 20 years ago on drug charges and served 19 years in prison.
• After release, she reportedly complied with annual DHS check-ins for several years while rebuilding her life in North Carolina.
• The criminal conviction remains the principal reason she faces deportation, despite family claims of rehabilitation and long-term compliance.

Role of the airline and immediate travel decision

United Airlines canceled the January 2, 2026 deportation flight after a coordinated campaign by advocates and medical professionals and after the carrier cited her being “unfit to fly.”

The cancellation addressed only the immediate travel component; Pinyerd’s overall detention and removal case remained under review. A DHS briefing note on January 3, 2026 acknowledged that the family had “proven she was unfit to fly,” though her detention status continued to be reviewed.

Statements from DHS and public messaging

• A DHS spokesperson’s January 3, 2026 briefing note said the family had “proven she was unfit to fly.”
• Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary for the Department of Homeland Security, released a statement on January 3, 2026 about holiday enforcement actions that said:

“ICE law enforcement secures our streets every single day including over the holiday season. They rang in the New Year with the removal of more disgusting monsters including pedophiles, murderers, and fraudsters from American neighborhoods. Thanks to our brave law enforcement officers, American families have safer communities in 2026.” (Source: Manila Bulletin, Jan 3, 2026)

This statement reflects the department’s emphasis on public-safety messaging during the enforcement period.

Policy and administrative context

Several policy moves in late 2025 and early 2026 framed the environment around Pinyerd’s case:

• December 12, 2025: DHS officially terminated several categorical humanitarian parole programs, returning to a stricter “case-by-case basis” approach. Advocates say this change increases the likelihood of deportation for those previously considered low priority.
• January 2, 2026: USCIS issued a memorandum directing officers to “halt adjudications and re-evaluate prior approvals” for applicants from high-risk countries, emphasizing assessment of whether applicants “do not pose risks to national security or public safety.” The memorandum did not address Pinyerd specifically but contributed to the broader policy backdrop.

Advocates describe this enforcement posture as part of a zero-tolerance approach toward non-citizens with criminal records, including elderly or ill individuals, and as reducing the use of prosecutorial discretion and some “sensitive location” protections.

Broader implications and debate

• Advocates argue Pinyerd’s case illustrates a widening enforcement approach that does not spare elderly or ill individuals.
• The case has highlighted the practical role of airlines in removals, especially when passengers have medical conditions that question whether they can safely travel long distances.
• Questions raised include:
• How is medical fitness assessed in removals?
• What documentation allows an airline to refuse transport?
• How does DHS weigh health risks when proceeding with deportations?

The cancellation of the January 2 flight temporarily paused the immediate travel risk physicians and family members warned could have had grave consequences, but it did not resolve her immigration status.

Current status (as of early January 2026)

• Flight canceled: January 2, 2026 (United Airlines)
• DHS acknowledgment: January 3, 2026 briefing note — family had “proven she was unfit to fly”
• Detention status: Under review; removal proceedings remain unresolved

Public and international attention

Pinyerd’s situation attracted attention both within the United States and internationally, focusing on the possibility of deporting a seriously ill, long-term resident and grandmother with physicians warning that a 15-hour flight could result in “sudden death.”

Sources and official channels

Official agency information about immigration policies and enforcement is published through channels including the USCIS Newsroom (Press Releases/Alerts), DHS Press Releases, and ICE enforcement data, as Pinyerd’s family and advocates continue to press for her release from detention and a halt to deportation efforts.