UW lab tech, Green Card holder released from ICE detention in Tacoma, WA
UW lab technician detained in Tacoma released from ICE custody
University of Washington lab technician Lewelyn Dixon was finally released from an ICE detention center in Tacoma on Thursday after being detained for months.
TACOMA, Wash. - A University of Washington lab technician held at an ICE detention center in Tacoma was released and reunited with her family on Thursday.
Lewelyn Dixon, 64, is a lawful permanent resident, a Green Card holder, of the United States who lives in Pierce County, and has resided in the country for more than 50 years. Her family says she was returning from a trip to the Philippines when she was taken aside by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on Feb. 28.
The reason for her detainment stemmed from an embezzlement conviction in 2001.
Family members, protesters and labor union members have demonstrated outside the detention facility since Dixon's arrest.
What we know:
During a demonstration on Thursday, Dixon's family members came out of court and told supporters that a judge ruled to release her.
"The biggest thing to realize is she should have never been there in the first place," said Emily Cristobal, Aunty Lynn's niece. "This is what community looks like, and without all of you, we wouldn’t be here."
Dixon was expected to be released Thursday or Friday, but walked out of the detention center after 4:00 p.m. on Thursday.
Dixon hugged her family and was welcomed by cheers of supporters who had gathered at the facility to support her.
UW lab tech released after 3-months in ICE detention
A judge has ruled on the release of Lewelyn Dixon, a 50-year-old green card holder who was detained at Sea-Tac Airport in late February after returning from a trip to the Philippines and faced possible deportation.
The Source: Information in this story comes from original reporting by FOX 13 Seattle reporter AJ Janavel.
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