July 18, 2025: Esther Ngoy Tekele, a 23-year-old legal permanent resident of the United States, was reportedly detained earlier this month at the U.S.-Canada border under troubling circumstances. Tekele, originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, lives in Burlington, Vermont and holds a green card, granting her lawful permanent resident status.
The incident occurred as Tekele and her family were returning from a wedding in Canada. Upon arriving at the U.S. border, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers reportedly held the entire group for hours—but only questioned Tekele, raising concerns about targeted treatment.
According to reports, around 5:30 a.m., while a family member named Coco went to get food for Esther, she was taken away without any prior notice. When he returned, no officers would disclose her whereabouts, leaving her family confused and distressed.
As of now, it’s unclear on what grounds Tekele was detained or where she was taken. Advocates and local officials are demanding transparency from border authorities and calling for her immediate release or explanation.
The case has sparked alarm among immigrant rights groups, particularly because Tekele is a legal permanent resident, and no prior legal issues have been made public.
This developing story raises important questions about border enforcement, due process, and the rights of green card holders when crossing international borders.