A Cameroonian green card holder has been detained by U.S. immigration authorities after returning from a holiday trip to Mexico, sparking anguish among his family and renewed debate over the detention of lawful permanent residents under the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.
Lukong Tanya, also known as Leonel, 39, a mental health and substance abuse counsellor, was taken into custody by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at St. Louis Lambert International Airport on December 21, 2025. He had just returned from Mexico with his partner, Whitney Robinson, where the couple had travelled to celebrate their first anniversary together.
“We were coming back from celebrating our anniversary in Mexico,” Robinson told Newsweek. “It was horrible and devastating. We came back from a beautiful trip to celebrate our union, and ICE took him.”
Officers questioned the couple upon arrival before detaining Tanya, according to Robinson.
DHS Cites Criminal Record, Defends Detention
Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, said Tanya has a criminal history that includes arrests for battery and driving under the influence, as well as a conviction for attempted possession of drugs with intent to distribute.
“A green card is a privilege, not a right, and under our nation’s laws, our government has the authority to revoke a green card if our laws are broken and abused,” McLaughlin said.
Tanya was initially held in a local jail for about 48 hours before being transferred into the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). He is currently detained at the Ste. Genevieve Detention Center, according to ICE’s detainee database.
Nearly Two Decades in the U.S.
Robinson said Tanya entered the United States nearly 20 years ago to attend college and later became a lawful permanent resident. His detention comes as President Donald Trump’s administration advances plans for what it has described as the largest deportation operation in U.S. history.
While the stated focus has been on undocumented immigrants, the detention of individuals with valid visas and green cards has increasingly drawn concern from immigrant advocates and families.
“The entire family is feeling devastated and overwhelmed with this travesty,” Robinson said. “It’s a surreal experience to unexpectedly be separated from the person you love and spend every day with, especially not knowing how long or what the outcome will be.”
Allegations of Poor Conditions Inside Detention Center
Robinson has also raised alarms about the conditions inside the Ste. Genevieve Detention Centre. Robinson has expressed concerns about the conditions inside the Ste. Genevieve Detention Centre, characterising it as an overcrowded and unsanitary facility. She said Tanya reported cold temperatures, limited bathroom access, concerns about water quality, and difficulty receiving medical attention when he became ill.
“The toilet is connected to the drinking water, but he thinks he’s getting sick from the water,” Robinson said. “There are maggots in certain areas, and some nurses have denied him medical attention when he mentioned he is getting sick.”
McLaughlin rejected the claims, saying, “If county jails are good enough to hold U.S. citizens, then they are sure good enough to hold illegal aliens. Here are the facts: All county jails used by ICE meet federal detention standards.”
Legal Fight Ahead
The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that Tanya will remain in federal custody pending removal proceedings. Meanwhile, his family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover mounting legal costs as they prepare to challenge his detention.
The case adds to growing scrutiny of immigration enforcement practices affecting lawful permanent residents, particularly as families warn of the human cost of sudden detention and prolonged uncertainty.
