US court grants Filipino national's plea to cancel deportation, orders her release

After nearly three months, a United States court has granted the petition of Filipino national Lewelyn Dixon for cancellation of removal, leading to her release from immigration custody, the Philippine Embassy in Washington confirmed on Saturday, May 31.

- By ARGYLL CYRUS GEDUCOS

"The Embassy welcomes the decision by a United States court to grant Ms. Lewelyn Dixon's petition for cancellation of removal and to order her release," the Embassy said in a statement dated May 30.

According to the Embassy, the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco extended appropriate consular assistance to 64-year-old Dixon, and ensured that her rights were protected throughout the hearing.

Dixon, a Filipino green card holder, was detained by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) while returning home to Seattle from a trip to the Philippines early this year. The arrest and detention stemmed from past convictions, including embezzlement and theft.