Weeks in US deportation detention: German "steadfast" despite terrible treatment

By Benno Schwinghammer

Rhode Island (USA) -According to his relatives, a German citizen living in the USA has been in US custody for four weeks. Fabian Schmidt, who lives in the state of New Hampshire, was taken into custody on March 7 at the airport in Boston and is now being held in a detention center in the state of Rhode Island.

Fabian Schmidt has been in US custody pending deportation for almost four weeks.
Fabian Schmidt has been in US custody pending deportation for almost four weeks.  © Privat/dpa

At the request of the German Press Agency, the Federal Foreign Office said: "We are in ongoing contact with the person concerned, their relatives, legal counsel and the relevant authorities." Detailed information could not be provided. Schmidt's lawyer could not initially be reached for comment.

The background to the case is unclear. According to his mother, Schmidt has been living in the USA since 2007 and has a so-called green card, an unlimited residence permit that largely puts him on an equal legal footing with US citizens. He accuses the authorities of treating him badly.

Among other things, he was shouted at during questioning at the airport and had to undress. While in custody, he fell ill and was taken to a clinic where he was shackled to his bed.

The allegations could not be independently verified. The US Department of Homeland Security did not respond to a dpa inquiry about the allegations.

Message to supporters

Schmidt accused the authorities of having been treated badly. At the airport, for example, he was shouted at and had to undress. (symbolic photo)
Schmidt accused the authorities of having been treated badly. At the airport, for example, he was shouted at and had to undress. (symbolic photo)  © Sebastian Gollnow/dpa

Meanwhile, Schmidt published a message to his supporters. "They can take away my freedom, but they will never take away my dignity, my love, my compassion, my passion and my drive," reads the letter, which Schmidt's mother made available. He shares the deportation prison with criminals who have "committed heinous crimes". Nevertheless, he remains steadfast.

The background to the US authorities' actions could be an old drug offense. According to his mother, Schmidt's questioning repeatedly revolved around a cannabis offense from almost ten years ago. The proceedings were discontinued.

In recent months, there have been several other cases involving German citizens, among others, who were arrested upon entering the USA.

In some cases, those affected were held in deportation centers for days or weeks.