Unjustified Detention: German Citizen Freed After Two Cruel Months in US Custody
Imprisoned in U.S. custody for two months, German national regains freedom.
Hey there, buckle up as we dive into a tale of injustice in the land of the free. A German citizen, Fabian Schmidt, living in the US for over a decade, has finally been released after two god-awful months in US detention. His freedom was confirmed by the German Foreign Office and his distraught mother. The reasons for his torment remain a mystery.
Detainee's Distressing SagaFabian Schmidt, a 34-year-old man from New Hampshire, was allegedly grabbed straight off at Boston Airport on March 7 and shipped off to a detention center in Rhode Island. His mother claims he's been living in the US since 2007, even possessing a green card, yet he was met with nothing but hostility from authorities.
His accounts of mistreatment include being shouted at during questioning, strip-searched, and even restrained to a bed while ill at a clinic. These claims are too raw to be independently verified. The US Department of Homeland Security didn't even bother to return our calls for comment.
German Consulate Never Lost HopeSince the case came to light, the German consulate in Boston has been relentlessly advocating on behalf of Fabian, providing him with consular assistance.
A Test for the US Rule of LawDue to similar cases, the Foreign Office updated its travel advice for the US in mid-March. Travelers are now warned about the risk of "arrest, detention, and deportation" during entry and exit. Potential reasons include prior convictions, false statements, or even minor overstays of the allowed duration.
Strict Immigration Policies and Old Cannabis OffenseThe background for Fabian's detention could stem from an old cannabis offense. His mother mentioned that his questioning repeatedly focused on a cannabis offense from nearly a decade ago, which was later dismissed.
In recent times, we've witnessed numerous similar cases, some involving German citizens who were held for days or weeks.
Sources: ntv.de, toh/dpa
- USA
- Donald Trump
- Deportation
- Prisoners
- Cannabis
- Germany
Background: TheWrap
It's no secret that the Trump administration's stricter immigration policies can lead to detention and potential deportation for green card holders with past criminal offenses, even minor ones like cannabis possession. This is especially true when traveling outside the US and re-entering. The legal system in the US also allows for the consideration of past charges, even if they were dismissed, as part of immigration proceedings. In some cases, state-level decriminalization of cannabis may not affect federal immigration policies, leading to confusion and potential detention.
References:[1] The Washington Post - The Trump administration is cracking down on legal permanent residents with criminal convictions[2] NPR - U.S. civil rights groups are sounding the alarm over mistreatment of detainees[3] American Immigration Council - Criminal offense background information for non-U.S. citizens
- The community policy and employment policy of the United States have come under scrutiny, especially in light of the prolonged detention of Fabian Schmidt, a German citizen living in the US, who was recently released after two months.
- Fabian Schmidt's employment policy and true reasons for his detention remain unclear, but his mother claims his questioning revolved around an old cannabis offense, which was later dismissed.
- The general-news and crime-and-justice sectors have reported on the false confirmation of a German citizen's detention, highlighting the Trump administration's strict immigration policies and their impact on green card holders.
- Schmidt's harrowing story serves as an example for employers to be aware of the employment policies in the US that could potentially lead to the detainment and deportation of their employees, regardless of their long-term residency status.
