ICE Is Out Of Control

[babylonsister]

https://digbysblog.net/2025/03/15/ice-is-out-of-control/

ICE Is Out Of Control
Published by digby on March 15, 2025
They’re torturing people


What in God’s name is going on?

A New Hampshire man with a green card was detained by immigration officers at Logan Airport and is being held by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at the Donald W. Wyatt detention facility in Central Falls, Rhode Island.

Fabian Schmidt’s family said they are unsure of why he is being held. They said he has a recently renewed green card, and no active issues in court.

Schmidt had been visiting Luxembourg and flew back to the U.S. on Friday. His partner had gone to pick him up at Logan Airport, and waited four hours before calling authorities.

“It was just said that his green card was flagged,” said Astrid Senior, his mother. She said she didn’t hear from her son directly until Tuesday, when she learned he’d been hospitalized.

Senior described Schmidt being “violently interrogated” at Logan Airport for hours, and being stripped naked, put in a cold shower by two officials, and being put back onto a chair.

She said Schmidt told her immigration agents pressured him to give up his green card. She said he was placed on a mat in a bright room with other people at the airport, with little food or water, suffered sleep deprivation, and was denied access to his medication for anxiety and depression.

“He hardly got anything to drink. And then he wasn’t feeling very well and he collapsed,” said Senior.

He was transported by ambulance to Mass General Hospital. He didn’t know it at the time, but he also had influenza.

On Tuesday, Schmidt was transported to the regional headquarters for ICE in Burlington, Massachusetts, and then transferred to the Wyatt facility. The family, including his partner, who is a cardiologist in Nashua, have acquired attorneys and been working with the German consulate in hopes to have him released on bail.

Schmidt and his mother moved to the U.S. in 2007, and received green cards in 2008. He moved from California to New Hampshire in 2022.

Senior described her son as a hardworking electrical engineer with a partner and 8-year-old daughter who are both U.S. citizens.

We’re THAT country now. Any green card holder should probably consider moving back to their home country. The brain drain would be substantial but I’m afraid they aren’t safe here anymore. We have an out-of-control police state that’s been let loose by a president who has declared war on the rest of the world.

[SheltieLover]

1. New tactic to alienate NATO allies?

Gawd how awful & embarrassing. 😓

[B.See]

2. "... what's going on?" Trump's Fascist America.

Friday he just stood before his justice department (and in effect, law enforcement) and gave them marching orders to pursue his perceived enemies, foreign AND DOMESTIC.

Expect more, and worse.

‘Stage four megalomaniac’: Conservative George Conway warns Trump ‘declared war’ at DOJ - Rawstory

[NotHardly]

64. Yes, expect more, and worse.

[Deuxcents]

3. What was his offense and just how does ICE explain this treatment and who ordered it?

[Demovictory9]

34. pressure from Trump admin to get their numbers up

[DENVERPOPS]

53. Anyone notice that ICE

is avoiding Construction sites, Farms, Meat & Poultry Packing Corporations, and especially GATED COMMUNITIES???????

[Daleuhlmann]

68. Didn't Know That!

Oh, so they've been told to leave the "privileged folk" alone!

[tanyev]

4. The 74 year old mother in law of a coworker just got a letter that she has one month to go back to New Zealand.

She's been living here on a green card for many years. Coworker & husband have been married over 20 years and the mother in law moved here to be near her son and grandchildren. I don't know if she even has any family to go back to in New Zealand. It's horrible. I'm sure they did everything legally. WTFF?

[Demovictory9]

35. harsh

[calimary]

45. The saddest part (or one of them) is that this country is devolving under the current leadership...

...to the point where I can see more people WANTING to leave, now.

If I weren't born in this country, I'd start feeling pretty uneasy, if not outright frightened.

But I WAS born in this country, and frankly, I AM ALREADY feeling VERY troubled and INCREASINGLY frightened these days! And even with a born-in-America birth certificate, I fear that might not be enough if trump & comp decide they're gonna crack down on us "subversives". They might try labeling us "enemy sympathizers" so they have an excuse to muzzle us, too. (Or worse!)

[Daleuhlmann]

70. I'm Afraid, Too!

I've never before seen such assaults on civil liberties in our country in all of my 67 years as an American citizen!

[moonscape]

47. I'm 74. I'll trade passports with her.

This is unreal. My 1st cousin has dual NZ/Swiss citizenship. Had lived/worked/owned a business in the US for 20 years but decided he didn’t want to live in Trump’s America and is back in Switzerland how. He still has a lot of business here but I can’t believe I have to be afraid for him to come back for a visit!

[tanyev]

51. They've hired an immigration attorney, but they don't have a lot of time to work with.

Just awful.

[Daleuhlmann]

67. What? If Her Green Card Is Still Good and She's Not a Threat to this Country, WTF Is ICE's Problem?

Now I think I've heard everything! Then, again, maybe not!

[FirstLight]

5. SHAMEFUL...

...and I thought that GWB and Guantanomo was the lowest the US could stoop.

We're already flagged on a few Int'l Travel lists... guess we have to protectour own from the govt too now ...

It's only gonna get worse

[AZJonnie]

6. "No active issues in court" sounds carefully constructed

In any case FUCK ICE, and FUCK TORTURE. I'm guessing some bullshit minor offense in his past is why they went after him. Though from the article is seems like he may be gay, so that could also be part of why he was targeted. Fucking jackbooted fascists

[Bernardo de La Paz]

12. Perhaps years ago he had a traffic violation and satisfied court penalty? Who knows so far. . . . nt

[AZJonnie]

15. Yeah, probably something like that, or maybe, GASP, marijuana possession!

In any case, nobody should be treated like this by our government

Well, when they're not in jail. This is pretty much how life is in jail, which is terrible, but at least there's a semblance of a reason for it.

[Ms. Toad]

25. He had a marijuana charge

That was dropped when the law changed, and a DUI.

New missed a court hearing when the notice was sent to a bad address. Not clear whether it was for the DUI or an immigration hearing. But since then his green card was renewed.

I wondered about him being gay - I haven't found any pronoun used for his partner.

[yellow dahlia]

74. I had that same thought. There was some cruelty here. Why?

Power is being given to many layers of people who can't be trusted with it....and no checks and balances.

[AntiFascist]

71. This is exactly WHY we need a state militias or "police" forces operating under the 2nd Amendment...

(a well regulated militia...) to protect legal citizens (including green card holders) from the Federal government overstepping its bounds and operating unconstitutionally. Otherwise, we may find ourselves in a fascist police state operating under the "laws" of Evangelical biblical BS instead of the Constitution.

[Jspur]

7. This green card holder is white which makes it suprising ICE

went hard against him. I thought this was the type of immigrant Trump and MAGA wanted lol.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

11. Probably has an accent. ICE goon said "Aha! A Furriner! Grab him! Achtung!" . . . . nt

[AZJonnie]

18. The consistent use of the word 'partner' in the article might be a clue to this mystery

I know some people use 'partner' when discussing hetero relationships as well, so I don't mean to jump to conclusions here. However, it's not far-fetched to imagine LGBTQ+ folks could be targeted for deportation by the regime.

[Pinback]

24. My thought as well.

The Mump regime is trying to make the U.S.A. a shithole country.

[bdamomma]

39. The felons regime

Needs a rude awakening. Strike this SF with any health ailment to rid us from this fascist regime.

[Demovictory9]

36. desperation to get deportation numbers up, they'll go after anyone... low hanging fruit equal those coming thru airport

[Daleuhlmann]

69. That's What My Brother Has Been Saying All Along!

Last edited Sun Mar 16, 2025, 03:55 PM - Edit history (1)

Now that Trump wants those numbers up, things are going to get even scarier!

[rambler_american]

8. F*cking Sadists

probably get erections torturing people. What possible justification could there possibly be for the mistreatment of this guy other than their sick and twisted sadism?

[highplainsdem]

9. Horrifying.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

10. ICE hired sadists preferentially, from top Secy Noem, border czar "Bullneck" Homan, and on down. . . nt

[Hornedfrog2000]

13. Just wait folks

Planes will start dropping out of the sky to conveniently discard democrats, people falling out of buildings, people will be announced as terrorists and their life savings seized, etc.

Glad we were able to keep the government open so we can pretend to vote again soon. Who is going to stop them ? Are we waiting for another jack, merrick, mueller? Who will save us?

Frankly i have no hope for our politicians. Hopefully europe will see they have to help us. I cannot believe how slowly they have countered this attack from russia. I believe we will never win again, and i also believe biden should have said these were acts of war, and america would respond with a completely exaggerated response, but we didnt, because we are soft and ripe for picking.

[SergeStorms]

14. Is he gay?

The article says "his partner had gone to pick him up at Logan airport." That's usually media code for "gay."

I wouldn't put it past tRump and his evil minions to "outlaw" homosexuality in the U.S. After all, tRump's buddy, Putin, says there are no homosexual Russians, 🙄 and we all know how much tRump wants to be just like Putin.

Dark times have descended on the United States of America, my friends. Very Dark times.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

17. It's also code for "unmarried". He and his partner have a daughter. . . nt

[SergeStorms]

20. Ohhhhhh.......

Thanks for the clarification, Bernardo.

Still, I believe there will be retribution for anyone who's not white, straight, a tRump sycophant, and red-blooded 'Murkin' before long. Fascists are like that.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

22. It's not definitive. Multiple ways a guy and a "partner" might have a child with them. . . . nt

[SergeStorms]

49. Indeed.

[William769]

16. I live in S.W. Florida

Any immigrant that comes to me in need of help, they'll get it.

[Upthevibe]

19. ..............

.....................

[Trueblue Texan]

21. I have Ukrainian friend (US citizen) who brought both her parents back to US

Her father died within a year, but her mom is still alive. I was terrified for Ukraine when TSF was declared president and I told her. She told me not to worry. Then TSF and his minions humiliated Zelinsky on the world stage. I told her it appeared TSF was moving to Russia's side and I was terrified for her mom. She told me her mom has her green card and not to worry. I don't listen to her anymore.

[modrepub]

23. So How Much Are We Tax Payers On The Hook For

to pay off these folks for our goons actions?

[erronis]

26. Is Erik Prince now part of the "unofficial" trump regime?

I'm guessing that he and his evil sister (DeVos) are advising how to best humiliate and destroy humanity. They were so good in earlier evil incarnations.

[regnaD kciN]

27. At least Green Card holders have a country to return to...

If they can get away with “disappearing” permanent residents without cause, what makes anyone think they won’t target naturalized citizens next? After all, Trump has talked about taking away the citizenships of naturalized people he doesn’t like. And, once that becomes normalized, does anyone believe he won’t claim the same power over native-born citizens?

[markodochartaigh]

28. I have friends from Germany who lived in the US for decades.

As covid hit they returned to live in Germany, but kept the green cards that they had had for decades. They stayed in the US several months each year. This year, almost a month ago, when they returned to the US they were sent to the holding area. There an immigration officer told them that with a green card one cannot stay out of the US for more than a few weeks. The officer gave them forms to surrender their green cards. Last week they talked to their immigration attorney. In the end they decided to relinquish their green cards rather than go through a hassle. This is in South Florida by the way.

[VMA131Marine]

43. That sounds like bullshit ..

U.S. permanent residents can generally stay outside the country for up to one year without risking their status, but for absences longer than that, they should obtain a reentry permit.

Here's a more detailed explanation:

Absences of 12 months or less:
If you plan to be outside the United States for 12 months or less, you can return to the U.S. using your green card (Form I-551).

Absences longer than 12 months:
If you plan to be outside the United States for longer than 12 months, you should apply for a reentry permit (Form I-131) before leaving the country.

Reentry Permit:
A reentry permit allows you to return to the U.S. as a permanent resident for a period of up to two years, even if you have been outside the country for longer than 12 months.

Maintaining Residency:
U.S. immigration law presumes that permanent residents intend to live in the United States permanently, and extended absences without a reentry permit can raise concerns about abandonment of residency.
Absences of more than 6 months but less than 1 year:
While not requiring a reentry permit, you may be subject to additional questioning upon return.

[JustAnotherGen]

54. Correct

Just asked my husband - had a green card from 1973 to late 2020 - you have to come back once a year.

[markie]

29. "We are that country now"

Yes, we are

How to fight?????

[MacKasey]

30. Family should call New Hampshire Senators and representatives

Last edited Sat Mar 15, 2025, 05:04 PM - Edit history (1)

And then call Tim Waltz

Get as much publicity as they can!

[wendyb-NC]

31. What the hell

That is uncalled for.

[moniss]

32. I remember shortly after the election when I and several others here began

telling people to consider their safety and to think about leaving. We got roundly criticized by people saying various things like "it won't be that bad", "the courts will stop them", etc. or claiming that leaving was somehow "not fighting" etc. We tried to get people to understand that being able to leave on your terms or being able to leave at all could quickly become a very difficult if not impossible matter.

For the time being they don't appear to be heavily restricting leaving but that could change for people in STEM fields who have worked on government projects, defense systems etc. I can easily see them deciding that certain scientists and engineers are not allowed to leave. Unless they wanted to go to Russia. This crowd would probably hand them suitcases full of classified documents to take with them to deliver to "Daddy".

[purrmaid]

52. The day after the election I started planning my departure.

I am about 2--3 months out.

[moniss]

57. Glad to hear your plans are working. I was

looking into some friends in Ireland and maybe figuring out a European "circuit" of sorts to go from place to place and back again for a few years. Ironic how the other fascists made travel/escape in Europe nearly impossible and now we have to think of it here in the US.

I just hope we're all going to be OK somehow.

[Evolve Dammit]

33. Brown Shirts are just getting started. This country is really fucked up. Thanks to all those that sat it out (election)

[SunImp]

37. Trump's Gestapo

[Irish_Dem]

38. AMERICA is out of control.

US leadership is out of control, despicable and evil.

[bdamomma]

41. These true accounts

Of people being abducted with "green cards" should notify their Reps and Senators, this is illegal. Boston Logsn Airport??? The State Governor must be alerted on this.

[Irish_Dem]

62. Yes how can it be legal to torture people on American soil.

Law abiding people who have been not found guilty of any crime and post no security threat to the US.

I don't know if the governors can intervene or not.

[Initech]

56. Just the republicans and Fox News are.

[Irish_Dem]

63. We are the so called good Germans now. We see the concentration camps and do nothing.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

40. Always has been. Fuck the carceral state.

[Shipwack]

42. Came here to say this. nt

[Solly Mack]

44. True.

[Bengus81]

46. Move away? No file a fucking lawsuit and get that story in the Media

We're not running from these assholes,we're fighting them.

[Maru Kitteh]

48. A woman I work with is too scared to go see her children age 6 & 10 because

she is afraid she would not be allowed to return, which would throw the family into poverty. She is from The Phillipines. She is one of the best nurses’ aides I have EVER seen.

I fucking hate that guy, SO much.

[Mosby]

50. Im curious why he would need to post bail.

What's the charge?

Usually only felonies require a bond, but it could be different for green card holders.

[Initech]

55. Tom Homan is truly, deeply fucked in the head.

As is this entire shitty administration. Fuck.

[ecstatic]

58. I feel bad for anyone who thought the green card would be enough

My mom had one of the non-expiring green cards, but she went ahead and got her citizenship about 28 years ago (18 or so years after arriving to the US). With the green card, certain rules are being enforced now, especially international travel restrictions. You can't come and go as you please like a full citizen.

[LT Barclay]

59. They have been for a long time but Trump has unleashed the beast.

Not that long ago they spent what probably amounted to a few billion dollars to stop offshore drug smuggling. What bullshit. The USCG was formed to stop smuggling and has the training and expertise to do it right.

[eppur_se_muova]

60. To Turnip and his fellow-travelers, "immigrant" means exactly the same as "un-American".

This is McCarthyism all over again -- Turnip's favorite attorney (and mentor), Roy Cohn, is the link between then and now. The tactics are the same -- libelous smears, unfounded accusations, unlawful restraint, imprisonment without trial (or even charges), and above all, painting all their 'enemies' with the same brush, whether it's even remotely realistic or not. The aim of all these tactics is intimidation of all those who would oppose, and thus oppressing dissent of any kind.

[gopiscrap]

61. holy shit we are so fucked up

[Daleuhlmann]

65. Make Torture Great Again?

There should be a full Congressional investigation
of this atrocity and ICE defunded and shut down! The worst thing was their having withheld his depression medication. Meanwhile, this man's attorneys should sue this stormtrooper agency's ass off! Until now, I thought torture goes on in banana republics, not in the United States, but apparently I was wrong.

[Daleuhlmann]

66. Why Hasn't the Mainstream News Media Been Reporting This?

The mainstream news media should be all over this story! Why aren't they, the cowards?

[yellow dahlia]

75. Local media has the story.

It was in the Boston Globe a few days ago. There is also an article from WGBH, as well as Uprise RI, which an activist group in RI. The detention center he is held in is in Rhode Island. It looks like he might have had a small legal snag, but not sure why he is still in detention.


Here are the articles:

https://www.wgbh.org/news/local/2025-03-14/green-card-holder-from-new-hampshire-interrogated-at-logan-airport-detained?utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&fbclid=IwY2xjawJEdzRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHXm2Tx3WKBFraAUWgZO0PAZjbSC37QmVt53Lz4rNQ9MnM23_-kgqkzjLqg_aem_qpmgMlmgCxvpQCyEfWHSrw

https://upriseri.com/green-card-holder-schmidt-wyatt/

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/03/15/metro/german-national-trump-ice-logan-airport-fabian-schmidt-immigrant-immigration/

The Globe might have a paywall.

[Daleuhlmann]

73. If You Are Interrogated by ICE, Do You have the Right to Refuse to Answer Unless Your Attorney Is Present?

What would happen if you refused to answer or cooperate with ICE authorities without a lawyer present?