Overview

• Fabian Schmidt, a 34-year-old German national and US green card holder, was detained by ICE at Logan Airport upon returning from Luxembourg on March 7.
• Schmidt was reportedly stripped naked, subjected to violent interrogation, and transferred to the Donald W. Wyatt detention facility in Rhode Island.
• Officials flagged Schmidt's recently renewed green card, citing prior legal issues, including a dismissed marijuana charge, a decade-old DUI, and a missed court hearing in 2022 due to a notification error.
• US Customs and Border Protection denied wrongdoing, stating that individuals with flagged records may face detention, though Schmidt's family insists he has no ongoing legal issues.
• The incident has drawn widespread outrage, with critics highlighting an increase in detentions of legal permanent residents under stricter immigration policies.