Maximo Londonio, a 42-year-old Filipino green card holder and longtime U.S. resident, was detained by U.S. immigration officials on May 16, 2025, at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport upon returning from a family vacation in the Philippines. His detainment has sparked outrage among supporters and immigration advocates, as well as rallies in Washington state demanding his release.
Londonio, who has lived in the U.S. since childhood and resides in Thurston County, Washington, is currently being held at the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma. The incident has reignited national conversations about lawful permanent residency, immigration enforcement, and the lasting consequences of decades-old legal records.
Who is Maximo Londonio?
Maximo Londonio is a green card holder originally from the Philippines who moved to the United States as a child. He is a resident of Olympia, Washington, and has worked since 2017 as a lead forklift driver at Crown Cork and Seal in Lacey. Londonio is widely known in his community as a loving father, husband, and a respected union member with IAM Local 695.
His arrest came as a shock to his family, co-workers, and union members, many of whom rallied outside the ICE detention center in Tacoma to demand his release. According to a fundraiser and local union leaders, Londonio had a nonviolent conviction from when he was 19 years old—over two decades ago—which appears to have triggered the CBP detainment.
What Happened at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport?
Londonio had been on a family trip to the Philippines with his wife and daughter, celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary. Upon arrival at Sea-Tac Airport on May 16, he was detained by Customs and Border Protection officers and placed into ICE custody for a prior 2002 grand theft conviction, which immigration officials reportedly deemed a deportable offense.
Although he had already served his sentence years ago and rebuilt his life in the U.S., current immigration laws allow CBP and ICE to use past convictions—even nonviolent and decades old—as grounds for inadmissibility or deportation. Londonio is now undergoing removal proceedings and has been issued a Notice to Appear (NTA) in immigration court.
Legal and Community Response
The Philippine Consulate in Los Angeles confirmed it is in contact with U.S. immigration authorities and closely monitoring Londonio’s case. It has also reached out to his family to offer assistance through its Assistance-to-Nationals program.
Immigration attorney and Bergenfield Mayor Arvin Amatorio commented that while the case is unfortunate, it is not uncommon under U.S. immigration law, which does not provide immunity to green card holders with convictions involving moral turpitude. “Even if a conviction is two decades old, it can still be used against a lawful resident,” he explained.
Union representatives, community organizers, and fellow employees describe Londonio as a “shining light” in the workplace and community. A public rally was held outside the ICE detention center, with a follow-up rally planned for early June.
Wider Implications for Green Card Holders
This case serves as a sobering reminder that lawful permanent residents remain subject to immigration law, and that any criminal record, no matter how old, can still affect their status. Green card holders are encouraged to pursue U.S. citizenship as soon as eligible to avoid vulnerability to detention or deportation.
Legal experts advise:
Applying for naturalization when eligible
Avoiding international travel if there are unresolved legal matters
Consulting immigration attorneys before reentry
Conclusion
Maximo Londonio’s detainment has highlighted the human cost of rigid immigration enforcement policies. While he awaits his day in court, his case underscores the precarious nature of green card status and the long shadow of past convictions—even for individuals who have spent decades building lives, families, and careers in the United States.
As the legal proceedings unfold, Londonio’s story will likely continue to fuel calls for immigration reform that accounts for rehabilitation, community contribution, and the American values of fairness and second chances.
