Post Boxer-Delegation, Cuevas Family Celebrates Bittersweet College Graduation

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Contact: Robyn Rodriguez: 510-475-1764

Post Boxer-Delegation, Cuevas Family Celebrates Bittersweet College Graduation

Fremont, CA-Wednesday June 9th, a delegation of Cuevas family supporters including family, clergy, Filipino community advocates and immigration scholars met with representatives of Senator Barbara Boxer’s office making a formal appeal for personal legislation that would allow them to stay in the U.S.

The Cuevas family is being deported to the Philippines after having built their lives in suburban Fremont for nearly 20 years. The Cuevas’ young adult children, who all immigrated to the United States under the age of six and who grew up thinking of themselves as Americans are being forced to return to a country they do not know.

The Support Committee for the Cuevas family has been able to secure over 70 organizational endorsements from local and national Filipino, immigrant advocacy, labor, civil rights, student, and teacher organizations. In addition, on-line petitions supporting the family have generated over 3000 signatures. Endorsements and petitions were presented formally to Senator Boxer by a delegation of the Support Committee on June 9th. They await Senator Boxer’s response, which they hope to secure by June 15th, only fifteen days before the Cuevas’ final departure date.

Meanwhile, the Cuevas family prepares to celebrate their eldest daughter Donna’s graduation from California State University, Hayward. Without an extension of their final departure date, participation in commencement ceremonies would have been impossible for her. “This is a bittersweet celebration,” according to Support Committee convener, Robyn Rodriguez, “though we’re happy that Donna will graduate, it’s tragic that only a few weeks later she will have to pack her bags and leave if our elected officials do not intervene”.

The Cuevas family along with their relatives, friends and supporters will be celebrating Donna’s graduation and the sustained efforts of the Support Committee on Sunday June 13th at the New Covenant Presbyterian Church 890 Fargo Avenue, San Leandro, CA. Members of the Support Committee will also be planning upcoming actions in the event that Senator Boxer fails to respond positively by the June 15th deadline. “We are prepared to take action each and every week from now until June 30th to keep the family here” stated Chris Campos, relative and member of the Support Committee. ##