Wedding anniversary nightmare: Filipino ‘Green Card’ holder detained at US airport after Philippine celebrations

Manila: A wedding celebration has turned to chaos after a Filipino "green card" holder has been detained by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, after flying back from vacation in the Philippines.

The event sent shockwaves throughout the Filipino community in the US, and reignited concerns over the treatment of immigrants with legal permanent residency.

Maximo “Max” Londonio, 42, was taken into custody on May 15, shortly after arriving with his wife and daughter from a family vacation in the Philippines, where they reportedly celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary.

Londonio has lived in America since immigrating at age 12 and currently resides in Olympia, Washington.

Londonio has been detained since May 15 after returning home from a trip with his wife and young daughter to celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary and see family in the Philippines.

Deportation?

He could now face deportation proceedings, despite holding lawful permanent resident status, as per local TV channel King 5 Seattle.

A US immigration lawyer Michael Gurfinkel said in a vlog that when Max Londonio was finally able to speak with his family, he told them he has already been transferred to "another facility" for an upcoming hearing, which indicates he may have already been placed under deportation or removal proceedings. 

“(Due to this event) The Filipino community throughout the United States, especially the Green Card holders, are now terrified of taking a trip outside the US, including to the Philippines,” according Gurfinkel.

Seattle Times reported that despite Londonio’s long residency in the US, he’s apparently never naturalised.

A US Green Card, officially known as a Permanent Resident Card, is a document issued by the US government that grants the holder the right to live and work in the United States indefinitely.

It is also a pathway to US citizenship after a certain period, typically 3-5 years. 

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Union, in a statement, confirmed that Londonio is a Local 695 (District 160) member, and a lead fork lift driver at Crown Cork & Seal, a union-represented manufacturing facility in Lacey, Washington, where he has worked since 2017.

Coworkers describe him as a "well-liked and dedicated" to his job, IAM Union stated.

Days of uncertainty

According to Tanggol Migrante, a migrant rights advocacy group, CBP detained Londonio over nonviolent offenses from his youth, which had not posed a problem during his previous international travels.

His wife, Crystal Londonio, a US citizen, said she was given no immediate information about her husband’s location or the reasons behind his detention. 

After days of uncertainty, she was finally able to speak with him on Tuesday.

Londonio informed her that he had received a notice to appear before an immigration judge and would be transferred to a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention centre.

“The lack of accountability by the United States CBP is failing him right now. It’s failing everybody. It’s taking from everyone who seeks refuge here — those seeking freedom and equality,” Crystal said at a protest outside Sea-Tac Airport.

Union calls for Max's release

Supporters chanted, “Free Max now” and demanded action from both US and Philippine officials.

The union stated: "The IAM Union is currently working with the employer to maintain Londonio’s job, as well as allied organizations to secure his release."

“Like so many across our country, our IAM Union Brother Maximo is simply trying to be the best husband and father he can be and provide for his family,” said IAM Union International President Brian Bryant.

“To our knowledge, there has been no evidence to support the US government’s continued detention of Maximo. We call for his immediate release.”

Not an isolated case

Londonio’s case is not unique.

Lewelyn Dixon, another Filipino green card holder, was detained at the same airport in February and has since been held at the Northwest Detention Center (NWDC) in Tacoma. 

Gurfinkel explained the detention may have emerged from a previous legal offence committed by Londonio. In 2002, when Londonio was 19 years old, he pleaded guilty to a "grand theft" charge and was sentenced to seven months in county jail.

According to Tanggol Migrante, at least four Filipino green card holders are currently being held at NWDC — one of the largest immigration detention facilities in the US.