(BOSTON, MA) A Woonsocket mother of six who has lived in the United States as a green card holder since she was eight years old has been detained at Logan Airport for more than a week over a decade-old warrant tied to a shoplifting charge, her lawyer says, in a case now raising sharp questions about access to legal counsel and basic constitutional rights at the border.

What happened at the airport

The woman, who returned to Boston on an international flight in early November 2025, was stopped by customs agents during the routine inspection that follows international travel. According to her lawyer, officers held her overnight at the airport while they looked into the old warrant, and she has remained in custody ever since.

What began as an unexplained delay in the arrivals area has turned into an extended detention with no court hearing scheduled as of mid-November 2025. The family says they received no clear explanation that night about why she was being held or where she would be taken.

Family account and immediate effects

Her sister, Arlette Latin, who was traveling with her, first realized something was wrong when her sibling did not reappear after secondary screening. Latin saw officers involved in the process and noticed the hours slipping by.

Other passengers cleared inspection and met their families, but the Woonsocket mother never walked through the doors. Family members say they were not given a clear explanation about the reason for the hold or the woman’s destination that night.

The practical consequences are immediate and severe:
– Six children left without their primary caregiver.
– Relatives scrambling to coordinate school, meals, and emotional support.
– A household uncertain when — or if — she will return.

Access to counsel and lawyer’s efforts

The woman’s attorney says he has repeatedly tried to reach his client and has been denied communication and access. According to the lawyer, the lack of access has blocked any chance to:
– review the old shoplifting case,
– discuss possible defenses,
– confirm her physical and mental condition after days in detention.

Civil rights advocates say these claims raise serious concerns because long-term U.S. residents who hold lawful permanent resident status typically expect to speak with counsel when they face custody and potential legal consequences.

“Keeping a long-term resident in custody at an airport for more than a week, without direct access to counsel and without a hearing on the calendar, runs against basic principles that many people assume apply inside the United States.”
— Attorney for the detained woman (as described in the reporting)

Travel history and why this is puzzling

Family members note that the woman traveled internationally the previous year without any apparent problem, passing through the same airport and federal inspection system. This time, however, the decade-old shoplifting warrant triggered:
– extended questioning,
– overnight detention, and
– prolonged custody that has stretched well past a week.

Lawyers watching the case say it underscores how minor criminal matters from many years ago can still surface at the border and disrupt the lives of lawful permanent residents when they travel.

Media coverage and public attention

Local broadcasters have followed the case closely. NBC10 Boston and TurnTo10 have both reported on the detention at Logan Airport, reflecting growing public concern about what appears to be an open-ended hold of a long-time resident over a stale criminal issue.

The coverage has highlighted:
– the unusual length of the detention,
– the absence of any scheduled court appearance, and
– questions about which authority is making detention decisions.

Agencies and where responsibility lies

At Logan Airport, the initial decision to hold the woman overnight was made by customs agents during the inspection process. The case has unfolded within the broader system of federal inspection and detention rules maintained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which posts information about its role at ports of entry on its official site at cbp.gov.

Analysis by VisaVerge.com notes that similar situations often leave families confused about:
– which agency is in charge, and
– how long such detentions can legally last, especially when old criminal records are involved.

Timeline (concise)

Legal and community concerns

Civil rights lawyers say the case raises fundamental questions about the rights of lawful permanent residents when stopped at an airport after international travel. Critics argue that:
– Detention without timely access to counsel can pressure individuals to accept outcomes they might otherwise challenge.
– A long-ago, minor criminal matter (a decade-old warrant for shoplifting) should be weighed against current circumstances, including long-term residence and family responsibilities.
– Without a scheduled hearing, there is no neutral decision-maker to review whether continued custody is justified.

For the Woonsocket community, the case is also a reminder of how quickly an ordinary trip can turn into a crisis for a family and neighborhood.

Important: As of mid-November 2025, no court hearing has been scheduled, the detention remains in place, and the lawyer continues to press for direct contact with his client.

Key takeaways

• A long-term green card holder and mother of six has been detained at Logan Airport for over a week related to a decade-old shoplifting warrant.
• The family and attorney report denial of access to counsel and limited information about next steps.
• The case is prompting broader legal and community questions about how old criminal records are handled at ports of entry and what procedural protections apply to lawful permanent residents.