A Bremerton father who has lived in the United States since childhood went in for what was supposed to be a routine check-in with immigration authorities in Seattle on March 11. Instead, his family says, he was cuffed and taken away.
Buonpone Morisath, who immigrated from Laos as a child and now lives in Bremerton with his wife and daughter, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after that scheduled appointment, according to Kitsap Sun. His family and attorney say his green card was revoked years ago and he has been living under an order of supervision that required periodic ICE check-ins. His lawyer says he is now being held at the federal immigration facility in Tacoma while attorneys scramble to reopen his long dormant case.
The Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma, also known as the Northwest Detention Center, is a federal immigration facility that houses people in removal proceedings, according to ICE. The site has drawn scrutiny from lawmakers and advocates in recent years over inspections and living conditions, and how much Washington state can oversee the place has been a recurring political fight. Axios has reported on legislative efforts and oversight battles tied to the facility.
Case History And Legal Fight
Morisath pleaded guilty in 1994 to third degree assault and mishandling a firearm, his attorney says. A deportation order followed in 1995, but it was not carried out at the time. Instead, he remained in the community under supervision that included those regular ICE check-ins.
Attorney Nicolas Olano has now filed a motion with the Board of Immigration Appeals to reopen the 1994 conviction and a separate motion asking the court to speed up consideration of the case, according to Kitsap Sun. Olano told reporters that in his view, "this is someone who is clearly, clearly rehabilitated, is part of the community." Morisath's wife said the uncertainty is taking a toll on him, adding, "emotionally it's starting to get to him, because he doesn't know what's going to happen."
Local Ties And A National Backdrop
Neighbors and coworkers describe Morisath as a familiar face around Bremerton who has worked locally and maintained deep community ties. Business listings show he has connections to the restaurant Sabaidee at 853 6th St in Bremerton. The eatery is listed on Tripadvisor, underscoring how embedded his life appears to be in the area.
His detention comes as the federal government continues a wave of removals to Southeast Asia that has helped fuel renewed pushes for policy changes. Lawmakers recently reintroduced the Southeast Asian Deportation Relief Act, citing government data that dozens of people were removed to the region in 2025, including 175 people returned to Laos. Those figures were highlighted in a press release from Rep. Judy Chu's office.
Legal Implications
Olano argues that Morisath may qualify for relief under former Immigration and Nationality Act section 212(c), a narrow discretionary waiver that, in limited situations, can protect longtime lawful permanent residents from removal. Immigration law guides note that 212(c) relief is tightly limited and entirely discretionary, so even someone who appears to qualify on paper is not guaranteed a break.
For a practical overview of how 212(c) has been interpreted and when it can still apply, immigration resources point readers to legal explainers. Shouse Law Group provides a summary of past use of 212(c) and its current contours.
Olano has asked a judge to expedite review of the case, and the family says they have reached out to local elected officials for help. For now, Morisath remains in ICE custody in Tacoma while his attorneys try to pry open decades old immigration decisions that have suddenly roared back to life.
