PH Consulate offers assistance to Filipina detained in U.S., facing deportation

LOS ANGELES, California - The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco, California is ready to offer financial and legal support through its Assistance to Nationals program for a Filipina arrested by U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

Lewelyn Dixon was detained on February 28 upon returning to the U.S. from a vacation in the Philippines.

In an email statement, the Consulate confirmed it has not yet received an official request for assistance from the family of 64-year-old Dixon, who is currently being held at the Northwest Immigration and Customs Enforcement Detention Center.

The Consulate, which oversees Washington State, emphasized its commitment to providing consular assistance to Filipino citizens.

“The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco has not received any request for assistance from the immediate family of Ms. Lewelyn Dixon. Nonetheless, the Consulate is committed to extending appropriate consular assistance to Filipino citizens across its jurisdiction regardless of immigration status, while respecting U.S. laws as well as individual privacy. The Consulate’s Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN) Section is here to help our fellow Filipinos with their concerns,” the Consulate said in a statement.

Dixon, a green card holder for five decades, is currently undergoing deportation proceedings and was denied bail by the Tacoma Immigration Court. She has worked since 2015 as a laboratory technician at the University of Washington Medicine.

However, in 2001, she was convicted of a nonviolent criminal offense related to bank embezzlement.

According to court records, Dixon pleaded guilty to embezzling $6,460 from White Center Financial Center, where she worked as a vault teller and operations supervisor. She was sentenced to 30 days in a supervised residential facility and required to repay the stolen amount and a $100 mandatory assessment. In 2019, Dixon fully repaid the money to her former employer.

Legal advice

Veteran U.S. immigration lawyer Arnedo Valera of Valera and Associates noted the consequences of Dixon’s case.

“The situation of Ms. Lewelyn Dixon raises serious immigration consequences. Even if the conviction occurred a long time ago, green card holders (lawful permanent residents) are not immune from removal (deportation) if they are convicted of certain crimes. Embezzlement is generally classified as a Crime Involving Moral Turpitude because it involves deceit and theft. There is no statute of limitations on removability — meaning ICE can act on a deportable offense regardless of how much time has passed since the conviction.”

Valera said a request may be made for the Cancellation of Removal under Section 240(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act with the following criteria:

• Has been a lawful permanent resident (LPR) for at least five years
• Has resided continuously in the U.S. for seven years after admission
• Has not been convicted of an aggravated felony

“If her offense is not considered an aggravated felony, she can apply for this remedy,” Valera told GMA Integrated News in a message.

Bergenfield, New Jersey Mayor and immigration lawyer Arvin Amatorio, who is familiar with Dixon's case, expressed concern about the broader implications for green card holders.

“Lewelyn’s case is heartbreaking, and it’s a reminder that even after years, sometimes decades — of living, working, and raising families in the U.S. lawful permanent residents can still face serious immigration consequences because of a past mistake. Under the Trump administration, immigration enforcement became stricter, with tougher border checks, more deportable offenses, and less officer discretion. These changes still affect Green Card holders, making even minor or old convictions potential grounds for detention, questioning, or removal, especially after traveling abroad,” Amatorio said.

Amatorio also warned Filipino nationals who are green card holders with pending cases to consult an attorney before traveling abroad.

“To our kababayans and fellow immigrants: please be careful. If you or a loved one has a criminal record, no matter how old or resolved, please speak with an experienced immigration attorney before traveling outside the U.S. And if you are eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship, I cannot stress enough how important it is to begin that process. Had Lewelyn naturalized and been able to demonstrate rehabilitation and good moral character, she likely wouldn’t be in this position today. Citizenship is more than a legal status. It’s peace of mind. It’s protection.”

Dixon is scheduled to appear for her removal proceedings in July. — BAP, GMA Integrated News