‘Privilege, not a right’: Why ICE is defending its detention of Canadian man

A Canadian man who has been detained for months in ICE custody is speaking out over what he alleges are atrocious conditions. Andrew Johnson with the details.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) says a Canadian man currently being held in a Texas immigration detention facility was denied re-entry to the United States because of past drug convictions, as his family presses ahead with a court challenge seeking his release.

Curtis Wright, 39, a U.S. permanent resident born in Edmonton, has been held for four months after he was flagged by immigration officials returning from a business trip to Mexico late last year.

In a statement to CTV News, ICE is shedding light on why Wright was taken into custody.

“On Nov. 6, 2025, Curtis James Wright, with two previous drug convictions, arrived at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston,” an ICE spokesperson said. “Upon arrival, Wright presented a Canadian passport and is a legal permanent resident (LPR) who applied for admission to the United States as a returning LPR. He was denied entry because of his criminal history.”

The agency said Wright was arrested by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and transferred to ICE custody pending the outcome of his immigration case. ICE says Wright was convicted twice in 2004 for possession of a controlled substance.

“A green card is a privilege, not a right,” the statement said. “Under our nation’s laws, our government has the authority to revoke a green card if our laws are broken and abused.”

Fiancée disputes ICE account

Wright’s fiancée, Kayla Thomsen, disputed the agency’s characterization of his criminal history.

She said the two convictions cited by ICE stem from a single incident more than two decades ago, when Wright was a teenager. Wright’s father Jim previously told CTV News it involved a Xanax tablet being found in the backseat of his son’s truck.

“That second charge they’re talking about isn’t a separate offence,” Thomsen said Friday. “It’s the same case going through the probation process. It was not two separate drug charges.” At the time, when Wright was 17, he was sentenced to community service Thomsen said.

Thomsen added Wright’s lawyer believes immigration law limits how long authorities can rely on old offenses, and reiterated Wright has lived in the United States for decades and has repeatedly renewed his permanent resident status.

Possible administrative error delaying hearings

Thomsen also said the family learned last Friday Wright’s immigration hearings may have been delayed due to an apparent administrative error.

She said Wright expected to face a judge March 6 but was told his name was not on the docket, the second time she claims that has happened.

After calling a county clerk’s office, Thomsen said she was told Wright’s previous transfer between detention facilities may not have been properly recorded.

Thomsen said Wright’s lawyer is also waiting for a ruling on a federal habeas corpus challenge seeking his release on the grounds his detention is unlawful, which was expected weeks ago, but may finally come by Wednesday.

She said the family believes it has proven Wright is not a flight risk, in part due to his three U.S. born children residing in the Houston-area, and the hope is Wright will be released to fight his deportation from home.

Trying time for Wright’s family

Wright previously told CTV News his unexpected detention has been difficult. “None of it has been enjoyable. The separation from my family has been miserable,” he said.

He also alleged detainees are being subjected to awful conditions. “The food is horrendous. It’s something I don’t think my dog would take a second sniff at,” Wright said. “I don’t drink water here without boiling it first. It’s finding ways to not stay sick.”

Thomsen said Friday the uncertainty has taken a significant toll on the entire family. “I’m just emotionally drained from all this,” she said. “It’s been a rough few days mentally and emotionally, but I’m trucking along.”