German national alleges mistreatment by U.S. border patrol

The family of Fabian Schmidt, a German national, claims he was mistreated while detained at Boston Logan International Airport. Schmidt, 34, was stopped by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on March 7 after returning from Luxembourg. His family alleges he was subjected to a "violent interrogation," stripped of his clothing, and placed in a cold shower. David Keller, Schmidt’s lawyer, stated that the interrogation tactics caused significant distress, requiring Schmidt to be sent to a hospital for medical care. However, CBP has denied these allegations, calling them "blatantly false." Schmidt has lived in the U.S. for over 20 years and holds a green card. His family says his green card was flagged due to a missed hearing. They argue the hearing notice was sent to his old address, and Schmidt was unaware he needed to attend. His recent legal troubles in California related to misdemeanor charges, which Keller claims have since been resolved. Schmidt was transported to Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility in Rhode Island, where he remains in custody. This facility has been criticized for its treatment of detainees in the past. Sarang Sekhavat from the MIRA Coalition called the conditions in such facilities inhumane, noting a pattern of mistreatment by immigration authorities. Schmidt’s case highlights the broader issues faced by green card holders interacting with the legal system. The situation has led German officials to update their travel advice, warning citizens about potential risks when visiting the United States. Advocates say green card holders are not protected from harsh treatment during detention, a concern that has persisted for years.