Lewelyn Dixon is free

After three months in detention, judge releases SEIU Local 925 member thanks to community pressure

TACOMA, WA (May 30, 2o25) — Sister Lewelyn Dixon, Aunty Lynn to her beloved community, walked out of the Northwest Detention Center (NWDC) in Tacoma Thursday afternoon, welcomed by her family and a crowd of community supporters and labor siblings. She had been held in the for-profit detention center since February, awaiting a hearing on the merits of her case. She finally got her day in court and a judge ruled Lewelyn should not be deported.

Supporters have been gathering regularly in front of NWDC to demand Aunty Lynn’s release. A green card holder, Lewelyn has lived in the United States for fifty years, since she was 14 years old. A crowd of over a hundred rallying outside the fencing of the detention center during her hearing erupted in cheers at the news that after months of advocacy, sister Lewelyn would be coming home.

Labor and community supporters pose for a photo after receiving word that Aunty Lynn would be released.

Speaking to rallygoers after the hearing, Lewelyn’s family — who have fought hard for her release since day one — credited the sustained organizing of community groups like Tanggol Migrante Network (TMN) and Lewelyn’s union, SEIU Local 925, for creating the pressure needed to secure Aunty Lynn’s freedom.

Sister Lewelyn Dixon celebrating outside NWDC. Photo: SEIU 925

In a social media post sharing the news of her release, SEIU Local 925 lifted up the mass movement of people power that pushed for sister Lewelyn’s freedom: “After months of uncertainty, we finally heard the words we’ve been hoping for: LEWELYN WILL BE RELEASED. Auntie Lynn is coming home because the people demanded it– thank you to everyone who rallied, wrote letters, contacted decisionmakers, and raised their voices.”

It wasn’t just organizing outside NWDC that helped secure sister Lewelyn’s release. Tanggol Migrante Network has been in direct contact with Lewelyn throughout her detainment. At rallies held over the past months, TMN has shared how Aunty Lynn has been fighting for her freedom — and the freedom of her fellow detainees — while inside. She’s worked to connect fellow Filipino immigrants with TMN and helped sound the alarm about the horrific conditions inside NWDC, which has seen a mass influx of detained people since the new federal administration took office.

In celebrating her release, Lewelyn’s family and supporters echoed calls for continued advocacy to secure the freedom of all those held inside the for-profit detention center.

“We are overjoyed to see our sister Lewelyn free and reunited with her loved ones,” said WSLC President April Sims. “Washington’s labor movement will continue to fight for the freedom of our union brothers Lelo and Maximo, and all those held at the Northwest Detention Center.”

Labor will gather outside NWDC this coming Friday, June 6 at 4:00 p.m. to demand the release of Machinist member Maximo Londonio, another Filipino immigrant detained upon returning to the U.S. from the Philippines. Brother Max, the sole provider for his family, is also a green card holder who has lived in this country for most of his life. Donations are being collected to help fund his legal fight and support his three children while he is detained.

 

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A post shared by Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO (@waaflcio)