Feds cite drug convictions in detaining Columbia green card holder
Matthew Sanders
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A Columbia man in ICE detention was taken into custody by federal authorities because of convictions for possession of marijuana and cocaine, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said Tuesday.
Owen Ramsingh was detained by agents in Chicago after returning from the Netherlands and landing at O’Hare International Airport. He has been in detention since.
“September 27, CBP arrested Owen Romann Ramsingh, a criminal alien from the Netherlands,” Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin wrote in a statement. “His criminal history includes convictions for cocaine possession and marijuana possession. This criminal alien is in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.
“A green card is a privilege, not a right, and under our nation’s laws, our government has the authority to revoke a green card if our laws are broken and abused.”
Ramsingh’s wife, Diana, said Owen has a 1997 conviction for cocaine conviction in Nebraska. He also has an expunged 2011 conviction in Boone County for marijuana possession. He has had a green card since 1986, Diana told ABC 17 News on Monday.
The last information Diana has is that Owen was being transferred to a detention center in El Paso, Texas. He has a court date in Illinois scheduled for Oct. 15.
Ramsingh is the head of security at The Blue Note and Rose Music Hall and is a property manager at Property Professional Management.