Published: March 16, 2025
Boston, Massachusetts – Fabian Schmidt, a 34-year-old German national and lawful permanent resident of the United States since 2008, was detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials upon his return from Luxembourg on March 7, 2025. Schmidt, who resides in New Hampshire, has been living in the U.S. since 2007.
Incident Details
- Detention at Logan International Airport: Schmidt was stopped at Boston’s Logan International Airport after his green card was reportedly “flagged” by CBP officials.
- Allegations of Mistreatment: According to his mother, Astrid Senior, Schmidt was subjected to “violent interrogation” by two officers, stripped naked, placed under a cold shower, and pressured to surrender his green card. He was allegedly deprived of sleep, food, water, and denied access to his prescribed medication for anxiety and depression.
- Medical Emergency: Schmidt collapsed during detention and was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital, where he was diagnosed with influenza.
Subsequent Transfer and Detention
- ICE Custody: After hospitalization, Schmidt was transferred to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) regional headquarters in Burlington, Massachusetts, and subsequently to the Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility in Rhode Island, where he remains in custody.
Family’s Response
- Lack of Communication: Schmidt’s family, including his partner and daughter—both U.S. citizens—have not been informed of the reasons for his detention. They are currently working with legal counsel and the German consulate to secure his release.
Official Response
- CBP Denial: A CBP spokesperson has denied the allegations, stating, “These claims are blatantly false with respect to CBP.”
