When Border Policy Collides with Human Stories
Christopher Landry, Immigration Issues and Border Patrol, a 46 year old permanent resident of the U.S. which for the most part is his home, had in 2025 an unexpected turn of events which saw him out of his home. At the Houlton, Maine border post — a usual point of entry which he was using to return from a visit to family in New Brunswick, Canada — Landry was turned back by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) staff. Although he held a green card which is proof of his status as a lawful permanent resident.
This issue brings to light the issues and at time very hard realities which permanent residents face at U.S. border — especially when it comes to past criminal histories. Also what is put forward is the issue of how we as a country balance national security, immigration law enforcement and humanitarian issues1234.
Background: A Life in Between Two Countries
He has 5 young which are U.S. citizens and he has built a life in the community.
Up until July of this year Landry’s border crossings at the U.S.-Canada border were routine and without incident. It is recorded that he had entered the U.S. from Canada at least 18 times since 2007 without issue. His travels were for family visits and also for work related travel which included international business trips which took him to Ireland on two occasions that required pre screening and transit through airports like London Heathrow and Boston Logan.
The Incident: Denial of Return and Its Causes
In May of 2025 things changed suddenly. At the Houlton border post in New Brunswick, which is the international boundary, Landry was detained and put through questioning by CBP agents. Also, the agents brought up old marijuana possession charges from 2004 and 2007. Also he had a charge for driving with a suspended license in 2007. Although the fines related to past issues had been paid in full and it was also brought out that since then Mr. Landry had not been in to do any more crime, the CBP authorities advised that past charges made him inadmissible under the U.S. immigration laws.
CBP agents advised Landry that which green card is a privilege and not a right which may be withdrawn or challenged should the holder break certain laws — which include that of drug possession. Also, it was brought to Landry’s attention that due to these convictions his green card was in fact voided and also that he will not be allowed in the U.S. at this time.1
Facing detention of himself at the issue which is what made it bearable at the time is to report that Landry’s five U.S. citizen children were with him which did spare him immediate incarceration. But they also warned him against future attempts of entry which should he pursue would result in automatic detention.
Legal and Emotional Issues for Landry and His Family
For Landry what is at issue here is more than just a paper issue — it’s a very personal and emotional crisis. Separated from his home and family he at present is in New Brunswick, Canada which he is not able to leave and which he is not permitted to cross into the U.S. which is the only country he has known since adulthood.
The great deal of time and emotion which this is taking out of him. Landry is worried that he is not able to support his family from afar and that his absence will have a great impact on his children. Also at issue is the very large mental health impact which this is having on him as he preps for what may be a very long stay out of the U.S., also at the same time dealing with the issue of the denial of his entry 2
Broader Context: Marijuana Convictions and U.S. Immigration Policy
Landry’s case is a study in the issues which present themselves in the issue of convictions for marijuana possession which in his case were from past events. Though we see the trend of the legalization and decriminalization of marijuana in many U.S. states and at the federal level has grown, our immigration laws which still stand — for the most part — impose very serious restrictions on non citizens that have past drug charges.
According to immigration laws of the US some drug related offenses may lead to inadmissibility of a foreign national or their removal from the country even if the same do not qualify as offenses which would be punished today should the case come up in present time. This is creating a very complicated situation for immigrants and permanent residents who have past convictions 3.
In the case of Landry, what put him at issue were past marijuana possession charges from over a decade which saw him turned away by CBP. This also shows how immigration enforcement may still be a step behind the overall drug policy and public opinion.
Legal Path Forward and Possible Outcomes
For what Landry is concerned as far as legal options go they are to apply for a waiver of inadmissibility which is also a way of asking to have removal canceled out by an immigration judge. These waivers do in some cases what is to forgive past convictions or to allow re entry despite past violations, but what we see is that these are complex issues which require legal representation and also in large part are at the discretion of the immigration authorities.
His case also brings out the issue of what is the difference between a lawful permanent resident and a U.S. citizen. While citizenship in most cases protects against deportation or entry denial which is true except in very rare instances, permanent residents are still at risk for loss of status due to past offenses or violations of immigration laws.
A Study in the Overlap of Law, Community, and Identity
Christopher in the case of Landry we see the tough reality which many green card holders are put in regarding the U.S. immigration process which also includes past legal issues.
His case is that permanent residency is not the same as full access to a country and that past crimes which for some time have been made less serious still have impact. Also what we see is that border policies which change over time may break lives and cause family disruption.
As Landry’s situation plays out we are asked to look at larger issues of how immigration laws should change with the times and also the importance of fair and compassionate treatment of long term residents who are a part of their communities.
Presently Landry is between two countries which is hard for him to overcome as he tries to get back what was his home for over 40 years 4.
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