A German national and longtime U.S. resident was detained upon reentering the country, sparking controversy over the treatment of legal permanent residents under heightened immigration scrutiny.
Fabian Schmidt, a 34-year-old green card holder, was stopped by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at Logan International Airport in Massachusetts on March 7 after returning from Luxembourg. According to Newsweek, Schmidt, who has lived in the United States since his teenage years and currently resides in New Hampshire, was subjected to what his family describes as harsh treatment by immigration authorities.
Family alleges harsh treatment by immigration officials
Schmidt’s mother, Astrid Senior, voiced deep concern over her son’s ordeal. “I’m feeling shaken up. It’s unbelievable what’s happening now,” she told The Boston Globe. She recounted how her son was allegedly stripped naked, “violently interrogated,” and later placed in a cold shower before being transferred to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility.
“It was just said that his green card was flagged,” Senior told WGBH. She further explained that Schmidt’s green card had been legally reissued in 2023 after he lost his previous one, yet it was flagged when he attempted to reenter the country.
ICE referred inquiries to CBP, which declined to comment on the specifics of Schmidt’s case, citing federal privacy laws. Hilton Beckham, CBP’s assistant commissioner of public affairs, stated, “If statutes or visa terms are violated, travelers may be subject to detention and removal.”
Detention raises concerns over immigration enforcement
Schmidt’s detention is part of a growing trend of legal permanent residents being stopped and questioned at U.S. airports. The incident has ignited a debate over immigration enforcement policies, with critics arguing that green card holders and individuals with valid visas are increasingly being caught in aggressive screening measures.
President Donald Trump’s administration previously emphasized strict immigration policies, initially focusing on undocumented immigrants with criminal records. However, recent reports suggest that green card holders and other legal residents are now facing similar treatment.
Public outcry and accusations of xenophobia
The case has gained traction online, with social media users expressing outrage over Schmidt’s treatment. “So they just tortured some German guy for no reason?” one user on X (formerly Twitter) remarked. Another user wrote, “Make no mistake, this isn’t about protecting our national security; this is simply the Trump admin’s xenophobic agenda.”
As Schmidt’s case continues to draw attention, legal experts and immigration advocates are calling for greater transparency and oversight in how legal permanent residents are treated at U.S. entry points. Meanwhile, Schmidt remains in immigration detention as his case unfolds, leaving his family and supporters seeking answers and justice.