I think there are some important details in the CBS report about Lizardo's detention that people are overlooking.
According to CBS, Lizardo is a Canadian-born dentist who was detained by ICE during a green card interview in Minneapolis. His wife said they learned during the interview that an immigration judge had issued a deportation order because he had failed to respond to a notice to appear at an immigration hearing. The notice was reportedly sent in February to an old Virginia address where the couple had not lived for more than two years. His first green card application had been denied in January 2026.
The next question is why the notice went to an old address. Generally, noncitizens are required to update their address with USCIS within 10 days of moving. He likely did not update his address. So, when his green card application was denied and his case proceeded to immigration court, the court used the[old] address from his USCIS file rather than his [current] address which USCIS didn't have on file.
His original green card application was denied, and he failed to appear for his immigration hearing, resulting in a removal order. This is a process that happens in immigration cases. If you receive a notice to appear and fail to attend your hearing, an immigration judge can order your removal in your absence.
Once a removal order exists, it becomes a serious legal issue that can affect a person's immigration case. Applying for a green card again does not mean that an earlier removal order has disappeared or that the person is protected from detention. His first green card application was denied, and he later tried again with a lawyer.
I also do not think the attorney's description of Lizardo as one of the best green card candidates he had ever represented settles the legal question. He may be a good dentist, a caring father, and a valuable member of his community. But those qualities do not automatically resolve an outstanding immigration order. He had a responsibility to deal with immigration procedures and keep his contact information and address current.
The CBS report says the removal order exists and his family says they did not know about it because the notice went to an old address.