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Fact check: What is the criminal record of Victor Avila, a 66-year-old green card holder who was detained by ICE at San Francisco International Airport

Checked on June 20, 2025

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, Victor Avila's criminal record consists of two misdemeanors from a single 2009 arrest for DUI and drug possession [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]. Multiple sources consistently report that he served his time in prison and paid the required fines for these offenses [3] [4] [5].

Importantly, all sources characterize this as a "minor" criminal record [1] [3] [5] and emphasize that Avila has been a law-abiding citizen since 2009, with no subsequent legal troubles [1] [2] [6]. The sources also note that his green card has been renewed twice since the 2009 incident [3] [1] [4], indicating that immigration authorities previously deemed him eligible to maintain his legal status despite his criminal record.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks several crucial pieces of context that emerge from the analyses:

  • The age and nature of the offenses: The criminal record dates back 16 years to 2009 and consists of nonviolent misdemeanors [4], not serious felonies
  • Avila's long-term legal status: He has been a green card holder for 58 years [5], demonstrating decades of legal residence in the United States
  • His family connections: Avila was detained while returning from visiting his son who serves in the U.S. Air Force [1] [6], highlighting his family's military service
  • Immigration authorities' previous assessments: His green card was renewed twice after the 2009 arrest [3] [1] [4], suggesting immigration officials previously determined his criminal record did not disqualify him from maintaining legal status

ICE and immigration enforcement agencies would benefit from emphasizing the criminal record aspect to justify detention actions, while immigrant rights advocates and Avila's family would benefit from highlighting the minor nature of the decades-old offenses and his subsequent law-abiding behavior.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question, while factually asking about criminal records, presents the information in a way that could be misleading by omission. By asking specifically about "criminal record" without context, it may imply more serious or recent criminal activity than actually exists.

The framing fails to acknowledge that:

  • The criminal record consists of minor, nonviolent misdemeanors from 16 years ago [4] [5]
  • No pattern of criminal behavior exists - this was a single incident followed by years of law-abiding conduct [1] [2] [6]
  • Immigration authorities previously deemed the record insufficient to revoke his status when they renewed his green card twice [3] [1] [4]

This type of framing could serve the interests of those advocating for stricter immigration enforcement by focusing attention on the existence of any criminal record rather than its minor nature and age.

Want to dive deeper?
What are the grounds for ICE to detain a green card holder like Victor Avila?
Can a green card holder be deported for a criminal record, and what are the criteria?
What rights does Victor Avila have as a green card holder during ICE detention?
How does ICE determine which green card holders to detain at airports like San Francisco International?
What is the process for a green card holder like Victor Avila to appeal an ICE detention decision?