Sonny Lasquite, a Filipino immigrant and green card holder, was recently detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at an airport. He has a past criminal record for distributing controlled substances.
Lasquite was stopped by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on July 28 when he returned from a vacation in the Bahamas. This happened at Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina, according to his family.
Why This Matters
Lasquite’s arrest was linked to a 2012 drug case that showed up as a warning in federal records. News reports show he is now being held at the Stewart Detention Center in Georgia.
His detention shows how people with green cards can still face immigration trouble because of old criminal charges. This raises questions about how past crimes can affect long-term residents and how this impacts families who depend on them for money and care.
More About Lasquite
Lasquite lived in the U.S. for 23 years and worked as a banquet server in Las Vegas.
Between 2010 and 2012, he was involved in possessing and trying to sell some prescription drugs like diazepam and alprazolam, according to court papers from New York.
However, he took responsibility and helped the government by naming others involved. A 2014 court memo praised his cooperation and said it helped stop drug activities.
The judge said, “You are the only defendant who cooperated. You took some risk for that, and it should be recognized. I believe you won’t commit crimes again.” He was sentenced to time already served and fined $200.
Since then, family and friends say he has stayed out of trouble. They started a GoFundMe to raise $30,000 to help pay for his legal defense and other costs to fight to stay in the U.S. So far, they raised almost $11,600 from 56 donors.
The fundraiser says: “Sonny is more than a name. He is a beloved son, brother, uncle, and friend. He has lived peacefully for decades, working hard and caring for his elderly mother. He is kind and always willing to help others.”
Lasquite’s detention is causing his mother to become very stressed, and he is also facing health problems in custody. His family says he has not gotten proper medical care, including delayed blood pressure medicine and treatment for a fever.
What Experts Say
Immigration lawyer Rosanna Berardi told Newsweek this isn’t unusual. She explained that under current U.S. law, even green card holders who have lived in the country for many years can be deported if they have certain drug convictions, no matter how long ago the crime was or how well they have behaved since.
She advises that green card holders should try to become U.S. citizens when they can because citizens are protected from deportation for old crimes.
Lasquite’s family depends on him financially and emotionally. His money helps pay for his mother’s medical bills and everyday needs.
Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem defended ICE, saying on Friday that claims of detaining immigrants without criminal records are “false.” She criticized Illinois leaders for ignoring laws about dangerous criminals.
What’s Next
Lasquite’s case is still in immigration custody. His legal options are limited because immigration law treats some drug offenses as reasons for deportation.
