TACOMA, WA — The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) today celebrates the judge’s decision that will result in the release of Lewelyn Dixon following her arrest and several months of being held in ICE custody. Lewelyn, affectionately known as “Auntie Lynn,” is a laboratory technician at the University of Washington Medical Center and a dedicated SEIU 925 member. She was arrested in February on her way home from a routine visit to see family in the Philippines and has been detained at the Northwest ICE Detention Center in Tacoma since. She has lived in the United States since she was 14 and is a Legal Permanent Resident.

“After months during which Lewelyn’s fellow union members and supporters refused to stay silent while one of our own was detained, she is finally free and returning to her family and loved ones,” said Rocío Sáenz, SEIU Secretary-Treasurer. “Lewelyn’s arrest was wrong and it’s part of a clear Trump administration agenda to vilify immigrant workers who contribute to our communities, just so they can score political points. We’re proud to welcome Lewelyn home today, and our fight continues until no immigrant worker lives in fear of being ripped away from their family or community. We will keep fighting until every immigrant worker is treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.”

"We are overjoyed with the news that Lewelyn will finally be home after months of uncertainty in ICE detention. She is being released because our communities demanded it by rallying, writing letters, contacting decisionmakers, and raising our voices,” said Tricia Schroeder, SEIU 925 President. “This is what people power can do. We look forward to helping her transition back to normal life, her job, and her community. But as we welcome our union sister back home, we must fight to ensure that no one else is forced to go through what Lewelyn has. We see through attempts to scapegoat immigrants, criminalize dissent, and dismantle worker protections. While we celebrate today's good news, we will recharge our power to keep fighting for working families everywhere."

Service and care workers with SEIU, along with Lewelyn’s family, friends and supporters, rallied Thursday afternoon outside of the detention center in Tacoma and in solidarity events held in over 8 locations across the country, to coincide with Lewlyn’s immigration hearing. Solidarity events and marches in Fresno, Los Angeles and Philadelphia took aim at federal and ICE field offices in their respective areas. Supporters demanded her freedom and spoke out against the unjust detention of immigrant workers.

To access video and photos of the rally outside of the ICE detention center click here and here. Photo and video credit: SEIU iAmerica.

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