Unjustified Detention of German Citizen After Two Months in US Custody Revealed
US confinement ends for German detainee following 60-day incarceration
In an alarming turn of events, Fabian Schmidt, a German citizen residing in the United States with a green card, was held in a detention center for over two months following his entry into the country. After numerous allegations of mistreatment, Schmidt was eventually released in May 2025.
Schmidt, a New Hampshire resident who lives with his wife and child, reportedly endured a harrowing experience while in U.S. custody, alleged mistreatments including shouting, forced undressing, and even being tied to a hospital bed during his stay. However, these claims could not be independently verified.
From Airport to Cell with Serious Offenders
Schmidt was apprehended upon arrival at Boston airport on March 7 and transported to the Rhode Island-based Donald W. Wyatt detention facility. Considered an American resident with nearly all the rights of a U.S. citizen, Schmidt had resided in the country since 2007.
German authorities became involved in the case, with the Foreign Office advocating for Schmidt and providing consular assistance. According to reports, it was the German consulate in Boston that facilitated Schmidt’s eventual release on May 8, 2025.
The Elephant in the Room: Old Drug Offenses
It seems that Schmidt's detention stemmed from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) investigation into a past cannabis offense. Despite that offense being dismissed nearly a decade prior, Schmidt's interrogations repeatedly focused on this issue during his detention.
Case records show that federal immigration authorities had taken action against Schmidt due to these drug-related charges and attempted reentry into the U.S. Yet, the specific charges or details surrounding Schmidt’s detention remain undefined in public records.
Recent months have seen a wave of similar incidents involving German citizens arrested upon entry to the U.S. and held in detention centers for extended periods. As the American legal system grapples with these issues, the saga of Fabian Schmidt's unjustified detention has served as a harsh reminder of the challenges that can arise in cross-border residence and travel.
Sources: ntv.de, toh/dpa, and various other sources.
- USA
- Deportation
- Prisoners
- Cannabis
- Germany
[1] Fabian Schmidt, German Citizen Detained By U.S. Immigration Authorities For Two Months, Regains Freedom, ntv.de[2] Detailed Account of Fabian Schmidt’s Detention Circumstances, toh/dpa[3] US Immigration enforcement Agencies responding to Public Opinion amidst Controversy, Various Sources.
- The community policy regarding detention of foreign citizens needs reevaluation, as evidenced by the case of Fabian Schmidt, a German citizen, who was held in a US detention center for over two months without justification.
- Employment policies in the US seem to be in need of review, as Fabian Schmidt, a US resident for over a decade, was treated as a foreign offender, despite having resided legally in the country.
- The employment policy applied to Fabian Schmidt, a German resident, seemed overly punitive, considering his past cannabis offense, which was dismissed nearly a decade prior.
- The German consulate in Boston facilitated Fabian Schmidt's release from detention, highlighting the importance of consular assistance in such situations. This illustrates the need for clear and effective employment policies to ensure the protection of dual citizens' rights.
