Boston, Massachusetts (August 2025):
What was meant to be a joyful family vacation quickly turned into a nightmare for 42-year-old Jemmy Jimenez Rosa, a mother of three from Canton, Massachusetts. Upon landing at Logan International Airport on August 11, Rosa—who has lived in the U.S. as a lawful permanent resident for decades—was suddenly detained by immigration officials over a marijuana possession case dating back to 2003.
A Shocking Airport Arrest
Rosa’s husband, Marcel, described the traumatic scene. “Our daughters clung to her, sobbing, while I had to tell them, ‘We may never see your mom in this country again,’” he recalled. The old charge, a misdemeanor marijuana conviction from 20 years ago, had been sealed long ago—and marijuana is now legal in Massachusetts.
Days in Custody Under Disturbing Conditions
For the next 10 days, Rosa was shuffled between detention centers in Massachusetts and Maine, even spending time in a male-only facility. According to family members, she was denied timely access to her medications for asthma and diabetes, leading to two hospital visits while in custody.
Her attorney, Todd Pomerleau, accused federal authorities of failing to provide clear legal grounds for her detention. “This conviction should never have been used against her. It was outdated, sealed, and legally irrelevant,” he stated.
Conviction Vacated – Freedom Restored
After an emergency appeal, a Massachusetts court vacated Rosa’s 2003 conviction, forcing immigration authorities to release her. But even her release was chaotic—she was dropped off alone in the rain near a shopping mall without a phone, transportation, or support. Rosa had to borrow a stranger’s phone to call her husband.
Political Leaders Demand Accountability
State Senator Paul Feeney, who was present when Rosa reunited with her family, called the detention “brutal, capricious, and unacceptable.” Pomerleau has also signaled possible legal action against federal agencies for alleged constitutional violations.
Family Seeks Support and Healing
The ordeal has left Rosa traumatized. Her family is now arranging medical and psychiatric care, while a GoFundMe campaign has already raised over $14,000 to cover legal and healthcare expenses.
Why This Case Matters
The incident has sparked widespread outrage among immigration advocates, who warn that Rosa’s case is not an isolated one. “If this can happen to a tax-paying Green Card holder with a decades-old, sealed case, it can happen to anyone,” said her attorney.
