According to a report by GMA News Online, Sonny Lasquite, a Filipino-American man, returned to the United States from a vacation in the Bahamas on July 28 with a green card. Upon entry at Charlotte Douglas International Airport in Charlotte, North Carolina, he was detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) after they discovered his criminal record. Currently, he is being held at Stewart County Detention Center in Georgia and is facing deportation.
Lasquite’s arrest is related to his involvement in a drug case in 2012. Court records from the Southern District of New York show that between December 2010 and August 2012, Lasquite knowingly possessed and attempted to distribute controlled substances listed under Schedule IV, including diazepam, alprazolam, zolpidem, and carisoprodol.
The court records also indicate that Lasquite quickly turned his life around, cooperating with the federal government to identify both accused and unaccused co-conspirators. Former U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara stated in a sentencing memorandum on September 9, 2014, that Lasquite assisted in halting drug distribution activities, leading to the indictment of others.
The memorandum noted, “As the government points out, you are the only cooperating defendant, and you took a significant risk in doing so. I think that needs to be acknowledged, and your sentence is different from the other defendants.”
Furthermore, it added, “I am confident in your ability to stay out of trouble in the future, and I wish you, along with the government, the best in moving forward from this.”
Ultimately, the court reduced Lasquite’s sentence to time served, with a fine of $200, and he did not have to spend any additional time in prison. According to family and friends, Lasquite had already put that experience behind him.
On Saturday, a GoFundMe campaign was launched by Vivian Hirano from Las Vegas with the goal of raising $30,000 for legal representation, application fees, and other expenses, to “fight to keep Sonny in the U.S. and reunite him with his family.” As of Monday morning, the campaign had received 56 donations, totaling nearly $11,600.
A comment on GoFundMe stated, “Sonny Lasquite is not just a name; he is a beloved son, brother, uncle, and friend. His kindness has touched many, and for decades, he has lived peacefully in the U.S., worked hard, cared for his elderly mother, always putting others before himself, lending a helping hand without hesitation when needed, greeting you with a warm smile, or providing comfort.”
An immigration lawyer told Newsweek on Monday that such cases are not uncommon and have occurred over the years. Under current U.S. immigration law, lawful permanent residents, even those who have lived in the U.S. for most of their lives, are prone to deportation if convicted of drug-related offenses, regardless of how long ago the conviction occurred or the contributions they have made to the community.
The lawyer advised individuals to “pursue U.S. citizenship as soon as they are eligible to avoid the devastating consequences of deportation, as naturalized citizens cannot be deported in the same manner for criminal convictions.”
Currently, Lasquite’s case is pending in an immigration detention facility, with convictions involving certain controlled substances serving as grounds for removal under immigration regulations.