Tuesday, November 27, 2007
A mistake in their paperwork more than 20 years ago led to the proceedings.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A doctor and his wife who face deportation because of a long-ago mistake on their immigration paperwork reported to federal authorities Monday but were allowed to return home while lawyers seek political support for them to remain in the U.S.
Dr. Pedro Servano and his wife, Salvacion, obeyed an order to meet with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials in Philadelphia and were told to report back in 60 days, said attorney Gregg Cotler. No deportation date was set, he said.
“I think that’s very hopeful,” said Cotler.
The Servanos, parents of four U.S. citizens and prominent members of their central Pennsylvania community, could be deported to their native Philippines because of a change in their marital status during their visa-application process more than 20 years ago.
All appeals have been exhausted, and their last hope is for Congress to pass special legislation allowing them to stay, Cotler said.
Democratic Rep. Christopher Carney, who represents the couple’s hometown of Selinsgrove, said in a statement Monday that the 60-day reprieve is “excellent news.”
“This gives us more time to examine all of the facts in this case and see what options are available through Immigration and Customs Enforcement,” said Carney. “We understand this is a significant ordeal for the family.”
Both Sens. Arlen Specter and Bob Casey said in statements Monday that they are working with the Servanos and immigration officials.
The case began in 1978 when the Servanos — single at the time — applied for U.S. visas. They did not receive them until after they were married, but U.S. officials were not notified of the change in their marital status.
Immigration officials noticed the discrepancy when the Servanos applied to be U.S. citizens in 1990. They accused the couple of misrepresentation and began deportation proceedings, Cotler said.
But the Servanos have been model immigrants since their arrival in the mid-1980s, Cotler said, and their story has led to an outpouring of support from around the country.
Pedro Servano, 54, is a family physician in Selinsgrove, an underserved area of central Pennsylvania about 100 miles northwest of Philadelphia; Salvacion, 51, runs an Asian grocery store and bakery. Two of their four children are college graduates, and two are still in secondary school.
Before meeting with immigration officials Monday, Pedro Servano said the ordeal has been trying.
“I’m dizzy,” he said. “I feel like I’m inside a twister.”
The couple’s eldest son, Steven, 22, said the children would follow their parents back to the Philippines if they are deported — even though none of the children speak the language and the youngest two have never been there.
“We want to be as one family,” he said.
ICE spokesman Michael Gilhooly could not discuss specifics of the case but said the Servanos were placed under certain restrictions Monday and then allowed to return home. They were also informed of their obligation to begin making arrangements to leave the country pursuant to the government’s final deportation order, he said.