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ICE custody records show Sonny Lasquite is being held in Georgia pending immigration proceedings, with court files noting a 2012 federal narcotics conviction.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A Filipino immigrant and lawful permanent resident was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at Charlotte Douglas International Airport on July 28, 2025, after returning from a trip to the Bahamas, according to official records and published news reports.
The detainee, identified as Sonny Lasquite, 44, was stopped upon arrival and transferred to ICE custody. Federal records confirm that he is currently being held at Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin, Georgia.
Past conviction cited in reports
News outlets citing federal court documents report that a 2012 federal narcotics conviction was the basis for the detention. Court records from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York show that Lasquite was convicted in August 2012 of conspiracy involving controlled substances, received credit for time served, and was ordered to pay a $200 fine.
Legal grounds for detention
Under 8 U.S.C. § 1227(a)(2)(B), a lawful permanent resident can be placed in removal proceedings if convicted of certain controlled substance offenses, with limited exceptions for a single offense involving possession of 30 grams or less of marijuana. The statute applies regardless of when the conviction occurred. Immigration cases for detainees held at Stewart are heard before the Lumpkin Immigration Court.
About Stewart Detention Center
Stewart Detention Center is one of the largest immigration detention facilities in the United States. Located in Lumpkin, Georgia, it operates under contract with ICE and holds noncitizens in civil custody while their immigration cases proceed. The facility houses individuals from various states, including those transferred after airport stops or local custody.
Current status
As of August 12, 2025, ICE records show Lasquite remains in custody at Stewart Detention Center pending immigration proceedings.
