Lewelyn Dixon, a 64-year-old lawful permanent resident and longtime lab technician at the University of Washington, was released from the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma, Washington, on May 29, 2025, following a high-profile immigration case that drew widespread public outcry and national media attention. Her release came after an immigration judge ruled that she should not be deported, effectively ending nearly three months of detainment that began upon her return from an international family trip.
Dixon, who immigrated to the United States from the Philippines at age 14, has lived in the country for over 50 years. A green card holder and an established community member in Seattle, she was detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on February 28, 2025. She had been returning from a trip to the Philippines to visit family when CBP flagged a 2001 conviction for nonviolent embezzlement—an offense for which Dixon had already served her sentence over two decades ago. Her original punishment included a 30-day stay in a halfway house and full restitution.
Despite having no subsequent legal issues and living a productive life as a working professional, homeowner, and community member, Dixon was taken into ICE custody and transferred to the detention center in Tacoma. The move sparked immediate backlash from her family, labor union members, and immigrant rights activists, who held multiple rallies, marches, and public demonstrations demanding her release.
Supporters emphasized Dixon’s contributions to her workplace and community, noting that she posed no public safety threat and had long since rehabilitated from her past conviction. The Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE), which represents Dixon through her employment at the University of Washington, was vocal in its advocacy efforts, helping organize events and engage the media to raise awareness about what many viewed as an unjust and excessive punishment.
The campaign gained traction in the local and national press, with widespread media coverage of her detention and growing calls for her release. Her case came to symbolize broader concerns about the treatment of long-term U.S. residents by the immigration enforcement system, especially those with minor or outdated criminal records.
On May 29, 2025, an immigration judge concluded that Dixon should not be deported and ordered her immediate release. That same day, Dixon walked out of the ICE facility to cheers, hugs, and emotional embraces from her family, friends, and fellow union members. In remarks to the press, Dixon described her time in detention as “hell,” recounting the physical and psychological toll of being incarcerated in a facility typically reserved for recent immigration violations.
Her legal team and supporters expressed relief but also renewed their calls for systemic reform. Advocates argue that Dixon’s case is not isolated and that countless other immigrants with deep roots in the United States face the threat of detention and deportation over decades-old infractions, even after fully serving their sentences and reintegrating into society.
Dixon’s release marks a significant moment in the ongoing national debate over immigration enforcement, criminal justice, and the rights of lawful permanent residents. Her story underscores the need for nuanced policy discussions around due process and the proportionality of immigration-related detention in cases involving long-term U.S. residents with minor, nonviolent criminal histories.
With her release, Dixon plans to resume her life in Seattle, surrounded by the community that fought tirelessly for her freedom. Her case serves as both a cautionary tale and a rallying point for advocates seeking more humane and rational immigration policies.
