Chris Landry, a Canadian citizen with a green card who has lived in the United States since he was three years old, was turned away at the border while attempting to return to the country last Sunday after a family visit to Canada. The 46-year-old Landry lives in Peterborough, New Hampshire, where he works in manufacturing. He was returning from Nova Scotia with several of his children — all American citizens — when he was intercepted at the Houlton border crossing in Maine. He claims he was detained for about five hours. “I felt like I was being treated like a criminal,” he told WMUR, describing the experience as “a real living nightmare.”
“I’ve been a legal resident since 1981,” he explained to NBC 10 Boston, adding that he crosses the border annually without ever encountering issues. Only this time, he says, was he denied entry. “I never imagined this could jeopardize my permanent resident status.”
This expulsion comes as President Donald Trump continues his immigration crackdown campaign, with a promise to launch the largest mass deportation operation in U.S. history. Illegal immigrants, as well as legal permanent residents, have been arrested in recent months.
A statement released on July 9 by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reminds that “a green card is a privilege, not a right” and that permanent residents with criminal records may be placed in preventive detention pending deportation.
Landry has two minor infractions on his record: marijuana possession in 2004 and driving with a suspended license in 2007. He claims he served a suspended sentence, paid his fines, and has had no issues since.
Ironically, Landry had been a staunch supporter of Trump’s immigration policies until now. “I was clearly in favor of ‘Make America Great Again,’ believing in a strong and united country, a promising future for my five American children,” he told NBC 10 Boston. “But today, I feel betrayed. I’ve been torn away from my family. My life has been completely upended.”
His partner, Jessica Beiker, shared with WMUR: “We need him here. He’s my rock.”
According to the latest data from the Bureau of Homeland Security Statistics, approximately 12.8 million people held green cards in the United States as of January 1, 2024.
New Hampshire Democratic Senator Maggie Hassan’s office confirmed to Newsweek that they had been contacted by Landry. “Helping citizens navigate federal procedures is one of our office’s core functions,” a spokesperson stated. However, the office declined further comment, citing their confidentiality policy on ongoing cases.
Speaking to Newsweek, Amelia Wilson, a professor at Elisabeth Haub School of Law and director of the Immigration Justice Clinic, emphasized that the government must prove “clearly, unequivocally, and convincingly” that a permanent resident should lose their status. “Only an immigration judge has the authority to revoke a green card,” she clarified.
In a July 8 post on X (formerly Twitter), Border Patrol insisted: “A criminal record is incompatible with exemplary permanent resident status. […] The law allows the government to withdraw green card status in cases of violation or abuse.”
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) had previously warned on May 5 that any illegal behavior—whether it’s a crime, unauthorized work, or visa overstay—can result in status revocation.
Stranded in Canada, Chris Landry has sought help from his state’s federal elected officials. His fate now hinges on a complex, lengthy, and uncertain legal process.
Source: Newsweek
