Canadian Green Card Holder Chris Landry Denied Reentry to U.S., Sparking Immigration Debate

Chris Landry, a 46-year-old Canadian national who has lived in the United States since he was three years old, found himself at the center of an immigration controversy earlier this month. On July 6, 2025, Landry was denied reentry into the U.S. by immigration officials at the Houlton, Maine border checkpoint after returning from a visit to Canada. The decision has sparked heated discussions about the Trump administration’s stringent immigration policies and their impact on lawful permanent residents.

A Life in Limbo

Landry, who resides in Peterborough, New Hampshire, has held a green card since 1981 and has spent more than four decades in the U.S. He works in manufacturing and is the father of five American-born children. Speaking to NBC 10 Boston, Landry shared his disbelief over the situation. “I felt like I was being treated like a criminal,” he said, recounting the five hours he was detained by immigration officials. “It was really a living nightmare.”

The denial of reentry appears to stem from two prior legal issues on Landry’s record: a marijuana possession charge in 2004 and a driving on a suspended license offense in 2007. While Landry served a suspended sentence and paid fines for these infractions, he believed that these long-past incidents would not jeopardize his legal status. “I never thought that would threaten my status as a resident of the United States,” he remarked.

Immigration Policies Under Scrutiny

Landry’s case comes amid a broader crackdown on immigration under President Donald Trump. As reported by Newsweek on July 10, 2025, the administration has intensified efforts to enforce immigration laws, targeting both undocumented immigrants and lawful permanent residents with prior legal issues. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has emphasized that “possessing a green card is a privilege, not a right.” A statement released by CBP on July 8 noted that green-card holders with criminal convictions may face mandatory detention and removal proceedings upon attempting to reenter the U.S.

While the government has the authority to revoke green cards under certain circumstances, immigration experts argue that such decisions should be made by an immigration judge. Amelia Wilson, an assistant professor of law and director of the Immigration Justice Clinic, told Newsweek that “the government bears the burden of proving by clear, unequivocal, and convincing evidence that the permanent resident should have their status taken away.”

Political and Personal Fallout

Landry, who described himself as a supporter of Trump’s “Make America Great Again” platform, expressed a profound sense of betrayal. “I was definitely all for a strong, unified country and a bright future for my five American children,” he told NBC 10 Boston. “But now I feel a little differently. I’ve been torn from my family. My life has been disregarded completely.”

The case has also drawn the attention of New Hampshire lawmakers. Senator Maggie Hassan’s office confirmed to Newsweek that Landry had reached out for assistance. “Helping constituents navigate federal agencies and processes is a core function of Senator Hassan’s office,” a spokesperson said, declining to comment further on the specifics of the case.

Landry is currently staying in New Brunswick, Canada, as he works to resolve his legal predicament. His partner, Jessica Beiker, told WMUR, “We need him here. I need him here. He’s my support.” The case underscores the precarious position that some lawful permanent residents find themselves in under the Trump administration’s immigration policies.

The outcome of Chris Landry’s case remains uncertain, but it serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and human consequences of immigration enforcement in today’s America.