A legal U.S resident and father of five, Chris Landry, is currently unable to return to his New Hampshire home after a family trip to Canada. Despite holding a green card and living in the U.S. since he was 3 years old, Landry was denied reentry due to past convictions in New Hampshire. This situation raises questions about the authority of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and their policies regarding legal U.S. residents with criminal records.
Unexpected Detainment at the Border
On Sunday, Landry and his family were stopped at the border in Houlton, Maine, as they were returning from their vacation. “They pulled me aside and started questioning me about my past convictions in New Hampshire,” Landry told NBC Boston. Despite being a legal resident and holding a green card, he was informed three hours later that he was not allowed to return home.
“They denied me reentry and said, ‘Don’t come back or we will detain you,’ and the only way for me to get back in was to see an immigration judge,” Landry further explained.
Landry’s Past Convictions
In 2004 and again in 2007, Landry was charged with marijuana possession and driving with a suspended license. However, he asserts that he has had no criminal record since then, serving a suspended sentence and paying his fines. “I never thought that that would threaten my status as a resident of the United States,” Landry said.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Statement
In response to the incident, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection told NBC Boston, “Possessing a green card is a privilege, not a right, and under our nation’s laws, our government has the authority to revoke a green card if our laws are broken and abused. Lawful Permanent Residents presenting at a U.S. port of entry with previous criminal convictions may be subject to mandatory detention and/or may be asked to provide additional documentation to be set up for an immigration hearing.”
The Uncertain Future of Landry
Landry, who resides in Peterborough, New Hampshire, expressed his fears about not knowing when or if he will be allowed to return to the U.S. “It’s just very uncertain for me right now,” said Landry. “I might end up spending the rest of my life in Canada. Who knows if I’ll ever have the right to reenter the United States at this point?”
Implications for the Family
Landry’s three American citizen children were with him when he was stopped at the border. They will be returning home over the following days. Landry, who visits Canada at least once a year and has never previously had an issue, blames the Trump administration’s crackdown on immigration for his current predicament.
Seeking Help from New Hampshire’s Congressional Delegation
Landry has reached out to New Hampshire’s congressional delegation for support, in hopes that they can intervene on his behalf. The office of Democratic Sen. Maggie Hassan confirmed it is in contact with Landry. The offices of Reps. Maggie Goodlander and Chris Pappas, both Democrats, expressed their deep concern about the situation.
