Following the recent detention of a lab technician and green card holder from the University of Washington by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, her family is voicing their concerns.
Lewelyn Dixon, 64, has been a legal permanent resident in the U.S. for five decades. She was taken into custody by ICE at the Seattle airport following her return from a trip to the Philippines in late February. With a hearing set for July, her family is advocating for her release, expressing to NBC News that she is the essential bond that keeps them united.
“She has always been our reliable support,” stated Lani Madriaga, Dixon’s niece, who characterised her as a maternal presence. “She has consistently been that way.”
Dixon is currently at the Northwest ICE Processing Centre in Tacoma, Washington, according to Madriaga. There, she has been interacting with fellow detainees, providing translation services, and assisting them in communicating with their attorneys as they await her hearing.
According to Dixon’s attorney, Benjamin Osorio, it is likely that U.S. Customs and Border Protection identified a long-standing embezzlement conviction in her history during her return, leading to her detention. Dixon, having entered a guilty plea for a nonviolent offence in 2000, has been mandated by the court to pay restitution and serve 30 days in a halfway house, according to court documents. She completed her restitution payments in 2019.
Dixon, previously a vault teller and operations supervisor at Washington Mutual Bank, admitted to “removing cash from the vault on eight separate occasions” without the bank’s authorisation, as stated in her plea agreement. She ultimately took out a total of $6,460.
Madriaga revealed that Dixon never disclosed the conviction to the family, describing it as her aunt’s “darkest secret.”
“Had she not travelled, this wouldn’t have been triggered,” Osorio stated.
Dixon has been eligible for U.S. citizenship for quite some time. However, Osorio mentioned that she made a promise to her father to maintain her Filipino status, allowing her to keep her property and land in the Philippines.
Osorio remarked, “She likely did not grasp the risk involved.” “If not for that, she likely would have … naturalised prior to her trip.”
Dixon arrived in the U.S. at the age of 14, quickly stepping in to assist Madriaga and her siblings, who are fellow immigrants, as they adjusted to their new life in the country.
“We remained united. We shared a room for the night. “During our school years, we had a bunk bed and an extra bed in that room,” Madriaga, 59, shared. “She exemplified independence and served as an admirable role model, emphasising the value of hard-earned work.”
After Madriaga’s sister experienced a divorce and became a single mother, Dixon made the decision to relocate to Washington state. This move allowed her to support the children and help with rent expenses. Years later, Madriaga experienced her own divorce, during which Dixon was present to assist with the children.
“That was challenging.” “She ensured that my youngest was well taken care of, as she was still a minor,” Madriaga stated. “She’s essentially a second mother to her.”
According to Madriaga, Dixon demonstrates a strong commitment to his work at the lab. She mentioned that she had even planned to work a shift on the night she was due to arrive from her flight. Dixon was approaching her 10-year milestone at work, a significant moment when her pension would officially vest. Family members express concern that she may face the loss of her job and pension due to her extended absence.
Susan Gregg, a representative from UW Medicine, refrained from providing further details regarding Dixon’s situation, but confirmed that she has been employed as a lab technician at the hospital since 2015.
“UW Medicine prioritises the well-being of its employees and expresses hope that Lewelyn will receive timely due process,” stated Gregg.
Madriaga expressed that the family is advocating for their aunt while also aiming to assist others in safeguarding themselves against a similar outcome.
“To those who chose not to pursue citizenship, like my aunt, believing she was safe: That is not the case.” “Go get your citizenship,” Madriaga urged.
