Key Takeaways
• Lewelyn Dixon, a Filipino green card holder, was detained for three months due to a 2001 embezzlement conviction.
• ICE detainees face harsh conditions; community groups provided vital support leading to Dixon’s and Michelle’s releases.
• Trump-era policies increase detention risks for green card holders with criminal records; legal advocacy proved crucial.
A Filipino Mother’s Release from ICE Detention Sheds Light on Immigration Law and Community Advocacy
A 64-year-old Filipino mother, Lewelyn Dixon, was released from the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma, Washington, on May 29, 2025, after spending three months in detention. Dixon, a green card holder who has lived in the United States 🇺🇸 for fifty years, described her experience as “hell.” Her case, along with that of another Filipino woman known as “Ate Michelle,” has brought national attention to the treatment of long-term legal residents by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the conditions inside detention centers, and the power of community support.
Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How
Lewelyn Dixon, a Filipino mother and lawful permanent resident, was detained by ICE earlier in 2025 when she returned to Seattle from a trip to the Philippines 🇵🇭. She was held at the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma, Washington, for three months. On May 29, 2025, an immigration judge ordered her release after a hearing that reviewed her case and considered her long history in the United States 🇺🇸, her family ties, and her community support. The government attorney chose not to appeal, allowing Dixon to return home immediately.
Her detention stemmed from a 2001 conviction for embezzling about $6,500 from her job as a bank teller. While Dixon had lived in the United States 🇺🇸 since she was 14, her past conviction became a problem when she tried to re-enter the country after visiting the Philippines 🇵🇭. Under immigration law, certain crimes—called “crimes of moral turpitude”—can make even long-term green card holders inadmissible when they return from abroad.
Legal Background: Why Green Card Holders Face Detention
Dixon’s story highlights a little-known part of immigration law that affects many immigrants. For green card holders (lawful permanent residents), the rules about criminal convictions are strict:
- If a green card holder commits two crimes of moral turpitude while living in the United States 🇺🇸, they can lose their status and face removal (deportation).
- If a green card holder leaves the country and tries to return, even one crime of moral turpitude can make them “inadmissible,” meaning they can be denied entry and detained.
A “crime of moral turpitude” is a legal term for crimes that involve dishonesty or bad intent, such as theft or fraud. Dixon’s 2001 embezzlement conviction fell into this category. Even though she had lived in the United States 🇺🇸 for decades, worked, paid taxes, and raised a family, her old conviction triggered detention when she returned from the Philippines 🇵🇭.
The Immigration Hearing: Factors Leading to Release
At her May 29 hearing, Judge Fitting considered several important factors before ordering Dixon’s release:
- Decades of lawful residency: Dixon had lived in the United States 🇺🇸 for 50 years.
- Consistent work and tax payments: She had a long work history and paid taxes.
- Strong family ties: Dixon’s family lives in the United States 🇺🇸, and she has deep roots in her community.
- Community support: Many people wrote letters supporting her and spoke up on her behalf.
The government attorney decided not to appeal the judge’s decision, which meant Dixon could leave detention and reunite with her family right away.
A Pattern: The Case of “Ate Michelle”
Dixon’s experience is not unique. Just weeks earlier, another Filipino mother, known as “Ate Michelle,” was released from the same detention center after a similar ordeal. Michelle, also a green card holder, was detained on February 12, 2025, when she returned to the United States 🇺🇸 from the Philippines 🇵🇭 through San Francisco International Airport. She was first held in California, then transferred to the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma due to overcrowding.
Michelle’s release followed a three-hour immigration hearing on April 30, 2025, where her removal order was canceled. Her case drew national attention, with nearly 200 supporters rallying outside the Tacoma facility and a caravan of over 40 people traveling from Oregon to show support. Community organizations raised funds to help detainees make expensive phone calls and provided daily visits.
Inside the Northwest ICE Processing Center: Detention Conditions
Both Dixon and Michelle described harsh conditions inside the Northwest ICE Processing Center. Michelle reported being:
- Handcuffed and restrained at the airport upon arrival
- Fed poorly, including undercooked chicken, and compared the food to what “animals in captivity” might receive
- Denied needed medication for pain caused by a tumor in her head
Dixon called her three-month detention “hell,” though she did not share many details about her treatment. Their stories match wider concerns about ICE detention centers, where reports of poor food, lack of medical care, and harsh treatment are common.
In April 2025, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) released information about ICE’s use of solitary confinement. The findings showed that:
- ICE must do individual assessments before placing someone in solitary confinement
- Solitary should be a last resort for pregnant people
- ICE should try to place people with serious illnesses in proper treatment settings
These rules are meant to protect detainees, but advocates say problems remain.
Community Support: The Role of Filipino Organizations
Both Dixon and Michelle received strong support from Filipino community groups during their detention. These organizations played a key role in their release:
- Tanggol Migrante Network Washington: Advocated for Filipino migrants and visited Dixon regularly.
- Migrante Seattle: Part of a network called “Defend Migrants,” which organizes services and support for Filipinos in the United States 🇺🇸.
- GABRIELA Seattle and GABRIELA Portland: Joined rallies at the detention center as part of a national campaign.
Advocates visited the detention center daily, provided commissary funds for phone calls, and organized rallies. These efforts helped keep Dixon’s and Michelle’s cases in the public eye and pressured officials to act.
Broader Policy Changes: The Trump Administration’s Approach
These cases are happening during a time of tough immigration policies under President Trump. On his first day in office, President Trump signed an executive order called “Securing Our Borders.” This order told ICE to detain noncitizens as much as the law allows and to change parole policies.
A policy plan called “Project 2025” has also raised concerns. It includes:
- Faster deportations without court hearings (expedited removal)
- Arrests and detentions without warrants
- Stricter rules for immigration judges, including quotas for how many cases they must finish
- Less funding for asylum and legal aid programs
The American Immigration Council, a nonprofit group, filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request on May 1, 2025, to learn more about how ICE is carrying out these new policies. The council says ICE has not published its rules, even though it is required to do so.
For more details about ICE detention and removal policies, readers can visit the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement official website.
Diplomatic Response: The Role of the Philippine Government
The cases of Dixon and Michelle have also raised questions about how the Philippine government helps its citizens detained in the United States 🇺🇸. Advocates say:
- The Philippine Consulate in San Francisco did not know about Michelle’s case at first.
- Tanggol Migrante Network sent an open letter to Philippine officials asking for more support.
- The Philippine government has a fund of 1.2 billion pesos to help nationals in situations like these, but it can take up to six weeks to release aid.
- The consulate’s response to Michelle’s case was limited to a single visit and general legal advice, with no follow-up before her hearing.
Community groups argue that more active support from the Philippine government could help detained Filipinos get legal help and basic needs met more quickly.
What These Cases Mean for Immigrants and Their Families
The stories of Dixon and Michelle show how even long-term legal residents can face detention and possible removal because of old criminal convictions. Many green card holders may not realize that a single past crime can cause problems if they travel outside the United States 🇺🇸 and try to return.
Key points for green card holders to remember:
- Criminal convictions matter: Even old convictions can affect your immigration status, especially if you travel abroad.
- Know your rights: If you are detained, you have the right to a hearing and to legal representation.
- Community support helps: Letters from family, friends, and community groups can make a difference in court.
- Stay informed: Immigration policies can change quickly. Check official sources and talk to an immigration lawyer if you have questions.
The Power of Advocacy and Legal Support
Both Dixon and Michelle were able to return home thanks to strong legal representation and community organizing. Their cases show that:
- Legal advocacy matters: Skilled lawyers can help present your case and argue for your release.
- Community pressure works: Public rallies, letters, and media attention can influence decision-makers.
- Support networks are vital: Organizations like Tanggol Migrante and Migrante Seattle provide practical help, such as commissary funds and regular visits.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, these cases highlight the importance of knowing your immigration rights and having access to legal and community support, especially for immigrants with past convictions.
Looking Ahead: Policy Changes and Ongoing Concerns
As of June 3, 2025, both Dixon and Michelle are free and reunited with their families. However, their cases raise ongoing questions about how the United States 🇺🇸 treats long-term residents, especially those with old criminal records.
Advocacy groups are watching closely as the Trump administration considers new policies that could make detention and removal more common for green card holders and other immigrants. The American Immigration Council’s FOIA request may reveal more about how ICE is applying these rules.
For green card holders and their families, it is important to:
- Stay updated on immigration policies
- Seek legal advice before traveling abroad if you have any criminal history
- Connect with community organizations for support and information
Conclusion: Lessons from Dixon and Michelle’s Ordeals
The release of Lewelyn Dixon and “Ate Michelle” from ICE detention shows both the risks faced by immigrants with past convictions and the power of community action. Their stories remind us that immigration law can be complex and unforgiving, but strong legal and community support can make a real difference.
If you or someone you know is a green card holder with a criminal record, consider speaking with an immigration lawyer before traveling outside the United States 🇺🇸. Stay connected with community groups and keep informed about policy changes that could affect your status.
For official information on green card holder rights and responsibilities, visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Green Card page.
By learning from these cases and supporting one another, immigrants and their families can better protect their rights and build stronger communities in the face of changing immigration laws.
Learn Today
Green Card Holder → A lawful permanent resident authorized to live and work indefinitely in the United States.
Crime of Moral Turpitude → A legal term for crimes involving dishonesty or bad intent, such as theft or fraud.
ICE → U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, responsible for detaining and deporting noncitizens violating immigration laws.
Inadmissible → When an individual is denied entry to the U.S. due to legal or criminal reasons.
FOIA Request → A formal request under the Freedom of Information Act to access government records.
This Article in a Nutshell
Lewelyn Dixon’s prolonged ICE detention spotlights tough immigration laws affecting green card holders with old convictions, community advocacy, and challenging detention conditions in Tacoma’s ICE center.
— By VisaVerge.com
