A mother who holds a valid green card faced a ten-day detention by Customs Border Patrol upon returning from a family trip, causing severe PTSD that hinders her ability to leave her home. Jemmy Jimenez-Rosa, 42, from Canton, Massachusetts, was detained at an airport in August with her husband and three young daughters, despite having a renewed green card. Reports indicate she was held in federal custody for ten days across different detention centers in Massachusetts and Maine.
Following her release, Jemmy’s husband, Marcel, revealed that she is now grappling with intense psychological trauma, anxiety, and panic attacks in public spaces, necessitating psychiatric assistance and making family outings challenging. Marcel emphasized the drastic change in Jemmy’s behavior post-detention, stating that she can no longer be in crowded places alone. The incident occurred as the family returned from Mexico, and the detention was apparently linked to a minor marijuana charge from 2003, which had been pardoned by the Massachusetts governor.
During her detention, Jemmy’s medical conditions, including diabetes and allergies, became pressing concerns, leading to emergency room visits due to a spike in blood pressure. Marcel expressed difficulties in getting information from Customs Border Patrol during the detention period. The family took legal action, filing a federal habeas corpus lawsuit within a day of Jemmy’s detention. Despite being released without charges or bond after ten days, the family’s immigration attorney criticized the lack of explanation for the detention, labeling it a violation of due process.
A GoFundMe campaign has been initiated to assist with the family’s growing legal and medical expenses linked to the detention.