This summer, visitors with green cards are being warned by the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol that they may be detained as they pass through airports. Following news that ICE agents had detained people returning to the United States from the Philippines, there has been a great deal of anxiety.
Most recently, after returning from a family vacation in the Philippines, investigators arrested Maximo “Max” Londonio at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. According to the Cebu Daily News, the father of three and husband has been in the United States since he was twelve years old.
Londonio had previously flown from the Philippines without any problems, but during the Trump administration, officials detained him for nonviolent crimes committed when he was younger. “Officers regularly use longstanding U.S. immigration law to determine the admissibility of foreign nationals as part of CBP’s national security mission,” the agency stated in a statement to the Inquirer.
“Lawful permanent residents convicted of offenses considered to be crimes involving moral turpitude, including aggravated felonies, can legally lose their status and be removed. Crimes involving moral turpitude include offenses such as grand theft and the use or distribution of controlled substances.”
With border security tightening under the Trump administration, even visa and green card holders have been detained or denied reentry at U.S. airports. @CAIRMass warns that travelers may also face invasive device searches, including having phones taken and contents downloaded.… pic.twitter.com/3QU1hyxsnu
— CAIR National (@CAIRNational) March 31, 2025
As murderers and rapists are being deported under President Trump, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem declares in a Homeland Security radio and television campaign that the United States has become safer.
However, despite their legal immigration status, its seemingly peaceful criminals are also falling into this trap. Additionally, protesters who are thought to be operating against the interests of U.S. policy under the Trump administration are being deported.
My friend’s friend had his Green Card confiscated by CBP last week upon touchdown at JFK.
Apparently his arrest for “possession with intent to distribute” from 2010 is coming back to haunt him (no charges were filed).
At the border checkpoint, he was given an appointment letter… pic.twitter.com/ORsw4jDbyL
— Jay 💊 (@therealjayber) May 28, 2025
Crystal, Londonio’s wife, was furious about the situation. He is currently being let down by the United States CBP’s lack of accountability. It is failing everyone. Crystal told Cebu Daily News, “It’s taken from everyone who seeks refuge here — those seeking equality and freedom.”
Additionally, several have bemoaned the Philippine Consulate’s failure to assist its citizens. “We are enraged that the Philippine government did not intervene quickly enough to fight for Max’s release,” said Jo Faralan of Tanggol Migrante. “Crystal already feels the U.S. government has failed her. It’s shameful that the Philippine government has failed them too.”
According to legal experts consulted by The Inquirer, ICE is not permitted to cancel a green card without first holding an immigration judicial hearing.
