Fabian Schmidt, a 34-year-old German national with a valid US green card, was detained by immigration officers at Logan Airport in Massachusetts on March 7. According to Newsweek, Mr Schmidt, who has lived in the US since his teenage years and currently resides in New Hampshire, was returning from a trip to Luxembourg.
As per his family, Mr Schmidt was arrested, stripped naked, and subjected to violent interrogation before being transferred to the Donald W. Wyatt detention facility in Central Falls, Rhode Island. His family claims they are unaware of the reasons for his detention, stating that Schmidt’s green card was recently renewed and he has no active court issues.
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Notably, Mr Schmidt’s partner had gone to pick him up at the airport but waited four hours before contacting authorities when he failed to appear. The family is seeking answers about his detention and is working to secure his release.
“It was just said that his green card was flagged,” said Astrid Senior, his mother. She said her son was subjected to humiliating and abusive treatment by immigration officials. She alleged that he was “violently interrogated”, forcibly stripped naked, and then subjected to a cold shower.
“He hardly got anything to drink. And then he wasn’t feeling very well and he collapsed,” she said. Ms Senior explained that her son’s green card had been legally reissued in 2023 after he reported losing his previous one. Despite having a valid, newly issued green card, Mr Schmidt’s travel document was flagged when he attempted to reenter the United States.
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Assistant Commissioner of Public Affairs Hilton Beckham told Newsweek on Saturday: “If statutes or visa terms are violated, travellers may be subject to detention and removal. Due to federal privacy regulations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection cannot disclose details about specific cases.”
Mr Schmidt’s detention has ignited widespread outrage and raised concerns about the stringent immigration policies under the Trump administration. This case is the latest in a series of incidents where lawful US residents have been detained at airports, sparking debates about the enforcement and potential misuse of immigration laws.
CONCORD – While Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte has said she opposes increasing highway toll rates across the state, the Senate voted Thursday to increase rates for out-of-state license plate holders.
It now goes to the House for consideration.
This would be a $1 increase for those who have out of state plates going through the tolls at Hooksett, Hampton and Bedford for out-of-state plates, a 75 cent hike for those taking Hampton’s Exit 2 and on the Spaulding turnpike at Rochester, and a 50 cent hike for those taking the exit off I-93 to Hooksett.
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An analysis in the bill shows that this would increase toll revenue by $53.3 million in fiscal year 2027 and go up each year to generate $81.4 million a year in 2036.
Senate Bill 627 passed on a voice vote with two Republicans, Senators Regina Birdsell of Hampstead and William Gannon of Sandown opposing.
Senator Mark E. McConkey, R-Freedom, moved to take the bill off the table and offered an amendment. He said the last time there was a systemwide increase to the turnpike toll was 19 years ago.
“I am sure we could all agree the cost of operations…has continued to escalate when revenue is not rising with it,” and he noted that with an enterprise fund, the state can only spend what it takes in.
The state has just completed a 10-year highway plan and there was a $400 million shortfall in projects that could not be paid for under the current income.
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McConkey said the measure would not increase tolls for New Hampshire drivers with a state license plate.
“Why don’t we ask our neighbors,” to pay a toll increase. “We are getting the best of all worlds,” by passing the bill, he said, including “protecting our residents” and having resources for improvements to the turnpike system.
Sen. Gannon, R-Sandown, asked McConkey if there are any studies on impacts near the border on businesses.
If implemented, McConkey said the state will be the 27th lowest in per mile cost still. McConkey said the bill would also increase from seven to 14 days the amount of time for those with NH license plates to pay for a toll adding there are other states that also have different rates for out-of-state users.
The Hampton toll cost would go from $2 to $3, while Hooksett and Bedford would rise from $1 to $2 for out-of-state plates.
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New Hampshire currently has the lowest rate per mile among states with tolls roads. The governor said she does not support a toll increase.
“We are not going to put a burden on drivers for a toll increase,” Ayotte said. “Families are struggling.”
WILTON, N.H. (WHDH) – A woman died in a Wilton, New Hampshire, house fire Wednesday morning, according to the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office.
At 9:08 a.m., Wilton firefighters responded to Burns Hill Road after a caller said their home was filling up with smoke. When they arrived, a single-family home was on fire and they found out two people were still inside on the second floor.
A man and a woman were both taken out of the house by firefighters and taken to Elliott Hospital. The woman was pronounced dead and the man is in serious condition.
Officials have not released the name of the victim at this time.
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At this time, investigators are looking into the cause of the fire and are trying to determine if a power outage in the area played a factor. The fire is not currently considered suspicious.
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