Jemmy Jimenez Rosa, a legal U.S. resident for more than 20 years, was released from immigration detention on Wednesday after being held for 10 days following a family vacation. Rosa had recently renewed her green card.
Her attorney, Todd Pomerleau, told Newsweek that the government never explained the reason for her detention. He speculated it could be linked to a 2003 marijuana possession charge, which was fully pardoned by the Massachusetts governor and sealed, meaning officials would have needed special court permission to access it.
“What is happening now is unprecedented. It’s an assault on the rule of law and due process,” Pomerleau said.
Context
Rosa’s detention comes amid a crackdown on immigrants under the Trump administration, which has pledged the largest mass deportation operation in U.S. history. Legal residents and those with criminal histories, even decades old, have faced ICE custody, sometimes in harsh conditions.
A Customs and Border Protection (CBP) spokesperson told Newsweek:
“A green card is a privilege, not a right…Lawful Permanent Residents presenting at a U.S. port of entry with previous criminal convictions may be subject to mandatory detention or asked to provide additional documentation.”
Incident Details
On August 11, Rosa returned to the U.S. with her husband and children from Mexico. Despite holding a valid green card, she was pulled aside by CBP agents and detained. She had traveled internationally about a dozen times with her green card.
Pomerleau said Rosa, who came to the U.S. from Peru at age 9, worked as an administrative assistant at Boston University’s School of Dental Medicine. During the first four days at Boston Logan International Airport, she had limited access to medication, a phone, or a shower and was rushed to the hospital twice due to health issues including diabetes, high blood pressure, and mental health conditions.
She was then transferred to a detention center in Maine before her unexpected release on Wednesday, which surprised both her attorney and husband.
Legal Action
On Monday, Pomerleau successfully challenged Rosa’s 22-year-old marijuana conviction, arguing she had not received proper legal counsel when entering her plea. The conviction was vacated and the case dismissed.
At 11 a.m. Wednesday, Pomerleau filed a motion demanding Rosa’s immediate release, noting she had never received a notice to appear. She was released shortly afterward and reunited with her family.
Reactions
Massachusetts Congressman Stephen Lynch said:
“This case obviously raised some red flags in terms of the delay and what services are available to her as a legal permanent resident.”
Tricia McLaughlin, DHS spokesperson, emphasized the administration’s focus on deporting criminal illegal aliens, calling it the “largest deportation operation of criminal aliens in American history.”
Rosa’s husband, Marcel Rosa, wrote on GoFundMe:
“Jemmy is a valid green card holder…She has been held without receiving proper medical care. Everything’s about the kids with her.”
The family’s GoFundMe for legal fees has raised over $12,500 as of Thursday.
Pomerleau called the detention “so un-American, so unconstitutional” and stressed the need for systemic change:
“We’re demanding justice for Jemmy.”
Leave a Reply