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Indybay Feature

Cuevas Family Update - Defend SEIU Member Facing DEPORTATION!

by upton sinclair (irlandeso [at] riseup.net)
Support Committee for the Cuevas Family
Robyn Rodriguez: robynmrodriguez [at] sbcglobal.net
Peter Chua: chua370 [at] earthlink.net
Jay Mendoza: jay [at] focusnow.org
cuevasfamilysupportcommittee.jpg
JOIN CANDLELIGHT VIGIL WEDS. JUNE 23rd!

Starting at 8:30pm at the CIS/ICS(aka INS/Migra) Field Office
630 Samsome St between Washington St & Jackson St
San Francisco, CA 94111

Using BART:
- Exit at Montgomery Station (SF)
- Walk from Montgomery (on Market) to Samsome (on Market) towards Embarcadero
- Walk north 6 blocks to Washington & Samsome towards CIS/ICE office

By MUNI Bus:
- Take the #10 bus to Sansome and Washington
Parking:
Facilities are available in the area. Prices generally range from $12.00 to $27.00 per day. Street parking is scarce.
For more location info:
http://uscis.gov/graphics/fieldoffices/sanfran/aboutus.htm
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Cuevas Family Background

Delfin and Angelita Cuevas arrived as tourists to the United States in 1984-85 along with their three young children (all six years old and under), Donna, Dale and Dominique.

Mr. and Mrs. Cuevas decided to settle in Fremont, California to leave behind the economic and political turmoil of the Philippines, eventually buying a home there.

All three children were educated at private, Catholic elementary and high schools. Donna recently graduated with a Psychology degree from Cal State University, Hayward. Dale and Dominique are students of San Jose State University.

In 1996, learning that immigration law would soon change, Mr. and Mrs. Cuevas filed for asylum with the hope of being referred to an immigration judge before the new law, Clinton’s Illegal Immigration and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIIRA) took effect on April 1, 1997. Because thousands of other immigrant families did the same, the Cuevas Family found itself caught in the backlog and therefore subject to the new law. Their appeals were repeatedly dismissed; the final appeal being dismissed in December 2003.
Delfin Cuevas was a member of SEIU, Local 1000 up until April 2004 when he was forced to quit his job.
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Support Committee Actions

Generated public support requesting Sen. Feinstein to pass personal legislation in Feb. 2004; Sen. Feinstein refused.
Formally presented Sen. Boxer with list of 70 organizational endorsements (see over for updated list) and 3000+ signatures from on-line petition (see Aroundthecapitol.com) on June 9, 2004 in support of personal legislation requesting response by June 15th; Sen. Boxer has still not responded to the Support Committee.
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Support Committee’s Demands to Sen. Boxer:

1) Introduce Personal Legislation for Cuevas Family
Enable the Cuevas family to remain in the United States, a country they have called home for nearly 20 years (therefore issuing orders to the appropriate BCIS or ICE officials to refrain from disrupting the Cuevas Family’s life);
Allow them the opportunity to legalize their status as permanent residents of the United States;

2) Stop Deportations; Keep Families Together--Immigration Reform Now! Work with immigrant advocacy groups, including the Support Committee for the Cuevas Family and their allies, to change unjust, anti-family immigration laws and policies.

Add Your Comments

Comments (Hide Comments)
by Sherry
The Cuevas family has a week to get their immigration problem resolved.I've been reading on the website, seeing them on TV since December.It is so hard to believe that Senator Feinstein after weeks of deliberation, denied this family legislative assistance, when in fact she has a history of helping other families. These other families have less years in America compared to the Cuevases.Some have no green card holders either, like the Cuevases.
Senator Boxer ,I understand ,is in the process of being asked to intervene.It is so disappointing to see how difficult it is to obtain legislative assistance even with cases like the Cuevas family. I don't see why this family is so harshly and unfairly penalized when they did try to legalize their stay to the extent of facing removal.
The Cuevas family have been contributing members to our California community and American economy.
What can the Cuevas family and thousands of supporters do,that hasn't been done at this crucial point, to move legislation to intervene?
by Jenny
<I am so amazed with the support this family has gained. <The support group has motivated a great # of citizens to volunteer hours dedicated to assist the Cuevases' campaign to stay.
<They most definitely are being unjustly punished,however, this family has created their own legacy.
<. They took great risks , came forward asking for help, determined to keep fighting to the very end.
<They may still have to leave America but their effort, their hard work, perseverance, and determination are instrumental in helping other families in similar predicament.
<I have faith things will work out for the Cuevas family.
< They don't deserve to be deported, for reasons thousands of their supporters strongly believe and share.

by Nancy
The support group for the Cuevs family has impressed upon most of us the significance of unity, loyalty, compassion and selflessness especially in times of tribulation.
The Cuevases have earned the respect and loyalty of their many supporters because they have put so much of themselves in their sincere effort not to give up on their American dream.
The fight will never be over for this family. They may no longer be physically present in our country, but I too believe they will remain in the hearts and thoughts of their many friends and supporters.We can keep fighting for them.They deserve our support because they are being unfairly punished!
by Brennda
America , by removing these goodhearted immigrants, has stripped them of everything they have worked so hard for and most definitely earned and deserved. It is a loss for the Cuevases but it is a bigger loss to America. The Cuevases are stable, productive and hardworking.
by B.Z.
June 30th is less than 48 hours away, the day the Cuevases have to leave the country. It seems unavoidable @ this point, every possible means have failed, however the Cuevases will be remembered for their courage and determination , most especially , I hope during the time when immigration reforms will eventually pass Congress. They have invested so much effort, time and money to resolve their battle with immigration.It is still a battle that will be fought by the Cuevas supporters.They highly deserve our loyalty and help because by them, taking risks,and getting unjustly removed from America, support groups and organizations have become available to families with immigration problems.
THE CUEVAS FAMILY DESERVES AMNESTY EVEN IF THEY ARE NO LONGER IN OUR COUNTRY & THEY DO NOT DESERVE THE TEN-YEAR-BAR!!!!!!!.
by JON
The Cuevas family was denied legislative assistance because given they have been in our country for nineteen years, none of them is a U.S.citizen.
The Cuevases have been contributing members of California community and American economy. They are homeowners , they pay taxes and healthcare insurances. They have not availed to any state benefits, i.e. welfare , or students' financial aid.
.The undocumented families who have been drafted private bills for status legalization have children born in our country. I have difficulty comprehending this type of justification. The undocumented parents of these American- born children had to avail to major health care benefits,from pre-natal to childbirth ,to well and sick baby health care.
The Cuevases , who have worked hard for everything they have, who chose not to abuse the system by availing to state and health care benefits have been denied legislative assistance. Assessing and reassessing these different scenarios only leads to one conclusion......................
***** Denying the Cuevas family legislative assistance was extremely unfair, heartless and unjustifiable.*************

by toni
I totally agree with the comments made on this website.
How does legislation justify their granting a private bill to undocumented immigrants who more than likely availed to state healthcare benefits from multiple pregnancies to childbirth and on to more health care needs, as opposed to a family of 5...the Cuevases who have not availed of a single state funding program.Furthermore,this family worked hard to finance the legal process to resolve their immigration problem.I absolutely am puzzled at how legislation rejected the Cuevases' cry for help, and supported their removal by refusing to draft a private bill on their behalf.
We all see the unfairness and the injustice.Let God do the rest. The Cuevases will do well, am positive.What have they done that they have been so harshly punished.
by Reno Ursal (reno_ursal [at] hotmail.com)
Hopefully the Cuevas Family will adjust to life in Cebu. The system is never fair, especially to us who are brown. The system will find any way to make it harder on us.

I wish them luck and look at this as a temporary defeat for them. Keep fighting, don't give up.

For the kids, I admire you're courage to speak publicly. Life in Cebu will be different, but luckily, you are living in a very Westernized country. Filipinos speak English in business and in schools. I urge that you make the best of it, learn Cebuano, get to know your fellow Filipinos. You will be back in the U.S. eventually and by that time, things may make sense.

Good luck to all of you.

by zimm (zimmzero [at] yahoo.com)
it only goes to show......that he who has the most influence makes the most impact.

we all know its hard to get something out of politicians....but its easier to access them when they need something out of voters!
by Daisy Santos-Dejesus (daisydejesus [at] yahoo.com)
Adding from the previous comment...true, we don't get so much out of our politicians and the deportation of the Cuevases should be a wake up call for us. Let us make sure that we go out and vote. Let us show them that our votes can seat and unseat them. Filipino-Americans in California are in great numbers. Politicians in this State should be listening to us, too. Together, we can make a difference.
For the Cuevases, good luck and GOD BLESS !!!
by Vicky A.
Legislators 'support toward removal of the Cuevas family is a wake-up call, an eye-opener to us, Filipino-Americans.Private bills have been drafted and a few passed for families with less years in America, some with green card holders among them, some with American born children...all non-Filipinos.
The Cuevas family's support was nationwide because we strongly believe in these people.Sadly, the legislators, obviously are selective with recognizing the power of the people.Filipino-Americans,professionals,students,clergy rallied to support the Cuevases up to their very last day in America.Nothing moved legislation.
I strongly am for all of us, Filipino- Americans ,to seriously exercise our right to vote so we may have fair, equal and ,just representation.
by MARILOU
I sympathize with the Cuevas family.Delfin & Lily,most especially. Their priority has always been their three children.They migrated their whole family because they want what's best for them. They worked hard, willingly took odd jobs, with minimum pay, lived simple lives .They remarkably worked themselves up to purchasing their own home, sent their children to private schools, & had their oldest child graduate college.
Their campaign to stay may have failed, but they ,most definitely have accomplished a lot that they should be proud of....their children's education,their own home,their ability to provide their family healthcare,life and car insurance while they lived in America.
The children, understandably, will have difficulty ,considering it is completely new to them. As long as they open themselves to various changes, they will do well. Filipino families are closely knit, being there for each other is no task.
Even if the children's home has always been America, because it's the only one they know, I am hopeful that with time, they will embrace the Philippines as their new and only home . After all, home is where the heart is and the Philippines is all heart!!!
by Silvia
To the Cuevases...Delfin,Lily, Donna, Dale, Dominique, what matters the most ,is, you did your best, you have gained a great deal of support , WITH YOUR COURAGE AND DETERMINATION, YOU MADE A DIFFERENCE!!!!!.
Legislators are not God!!!!!Their power is not forever, so don't rely on them.The Almighty will take care of you, He sees everything and everyone.
GOD BLESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
by Dusty Rhodes
The Parents could have applied for citizenship the right way. The kids were innocent but the family was still illegal. The Government did what it had to do.
by Dusty Rhodes
Nor was it unfair. They were illegal.
by Dusty Rhodes
Check out the above noted website
by Spot
In response to you, Dusty...everything you have pointed out are nothing new, we know facts.You are the one with issues...we don't. We choose to support the Cuevases, and sadly, this is an issue to you too!!!

To the Cuevas family, keep the faith!!!
by Deanna
Dusty, I don't need to visit the website you have mentioned...why can't you drop it...the hatred, the profiling,..the Cuevases don't need your support...they have thousands who believe in them...they may be "illegal", as you prefer to call them, to me, they are better than you in every aspect!!!
by carmel
The Cuevas situation is indeed sad. It has drawn so much attention.Both positive and negative responses are being written on this website..

The Cuevas family has gained massive support nationwide, their supporters have legitimate reasons for rallying behind this family .In fairness to the Cuevases, one should have relevant facts about them before throwing stones and condemning this family.The fact that they are "illegal" as DUSTY refers to them, is no reason to wish them deportation and at this point in time, verbalizing pleasure about the ultimate consequence is mean.I have a major issue accepting that some of my fellow Americans are capable of being so viciously judgmental!!!!

A question was asked as to why the Cuevas family should be given legislative assistance just because they have been in America for nineteen years as opposed to one who has been in our country for six months whose job is picking artichokes.My response would simply be, the # of years is one of the requirements to be considered for a private bill. Re-assessing the question asked, the issue ,I realize, is not the number of years, the line of work is a significant focus.The Cuevases are being frowned upon because they took away jobs from Americans. Yes, they did , but they are highly qualified for the postions they had, they are highly competent, productive and hardworking. And more important, they ,like any working American, paid taxes, mortgage, healthcare, auto, life insurance, and has not taken advantage of any type of state benefits and assistance. In addition, they have invested effort, time and their hard earned money financing the legal process toward resolving their immigration status, that failed because their first lawyer was incompetent!

The Cuevas family was wrongly penalized , they ,most definitely, do not deserve deportation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!








































!
THERE ARE MILLIONS OF UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS WHO ARE IN HIDING. THEY ARE UNLIKE THE CUEVASES IN MANY WAYS. THE CUEVASES HAVE A HISTORY OF PAYING TAXES, THEIR HOME MORTGAGE, HEALTHCARE, AUTO AND LIFE INSURANCES.THE CUEVASES INVESTED EFFORT, TIME AND THEIR HARD EARNED MONEY FINANCING THE LEGAL PROCESS TO RESOLVE THEIR IMMIGRATION STATUS.
A QUESTION WAS MADE AS TO WHY THE CUEVAS FAMILY SHOULD BE GIVEN LEGISLATIVE ASSISTANCE JUST BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN IN AMERICA FOR NINETEEN YEARS AS OPPOSED TO SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN IN THIS COUNTRY FOR SIX YEARS ,WHOSE JOB IS PICKING ARTICHOKES. SIMPLE...ONE OF THE CRITERIA TO QUALIFY FOR A PRIVATE BILL IS THE NUMBER OF YEARS. AND MOST DEFINITELY, NINETEEN YEARS AS OPPOSED TO SIX YEARS...DO THE MATH...UNFORTUNATELY,the issue IT IS NOT THE YEARS SES ARE APPARENTLY BOTHERED WITH WHAT THEY DID FOR A LIVING. THE CUEVASES ARE HIGHLY QUALIFIED FOR THE LINE OF WORK THEY DID. THEY ARE PRODUCTIVE, HARDWORKING ,COMPETENT, CONSCIENTIOUS AND EFFICIENT.THESE QUALITIES SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN USED AGAINST THEM. UNFORTUNATELY, THEY WERE ACCUSED OF TAKING AWAY JOBS FROM AMERICANS. LET US NOT OVERLOOK THE FACT THAT THEY ,LIKE ANY RESPONSIBLE AMERICAN, PAID TAXES
by Kathleen Lee
There is the argument that states, "The Cuevases were illegal, hence were deserving of punishment."

No one is denying that their residency was "illegal."

But honestly. IS THE LAW ALWAYS JUST? Let's go back in history... Why was slavery legal at one point? Why were Japanese-AMERICANS forced to move away from their homes for internment by law? Why was the 1924 Immigration Act passed, to limit Filipino/other Asian immigrants from coming to the US because of the fear that "any Asiatics were bad for the State"? Why were interracial marriages banned by law in the 1930s?

And to anyone reading: how would you feel if you were 21, and had to leave a place you've resided in for the last 19 years of your life, to go "back" to a place where you can barely even speak the language? It's not even about technicalities anymore - it's about empathy.
by Kelly Flanagan
I agree some laws need to be changed. But, the immigration laws must remain as they are.
by Tess
The immigration laws, most definitely need major reforms. I f the immigration laws that are in place at this time need no revision, then why are there millions of undocumented immigrants in hiding. Am positive, a great percentage are conveniently working under the table to evade paying taxes, with no healthcare insurance.I am a healthcare provider. I work in a state hospital. Undocumented immigrants, who require medical attention are being treated , they don't give their real names,nor do they have id's. The healthcare institution provides medical care to anyone who needs it, we have a fairly good percentage of charity care.

The Cuevas family did no such thing, they had jobs, they have a history of paying taxes, home mortgage, and healthcare insurance. They were able to prove themselves to be contributing members to our California community and American economy.They had a lawyer for a decade, working on their immigration status to be resolved, unfortunately, she gave them bad advice.Despite everything, our present immigration laws sent the Cuevas family to their country of origin, while other families in similar situations have been drafted private bills.

Immigration laws need to change, so no other person or family will be unjustly and harshly punished like the Cuevases.

To the Cuevases, keep the faith, I keep you in my prayers!!!
by REY
This so very true. Clients come in for treatment with aliases, no healthcare insurance, whatsoever.And why, because they are "illegal" and they have no heathcare insurance.
With the EMTALA, no hospital can turn away any client or they will be slapped with a steep fine!!
The taxpayers are the ones making up the difference.
I totally agree, immigration laws need to change.The Cuevases should not have been deported!!!
by Kelly Flanagan
I agreed with every thing you said until the last sentence. The Cuevas had to be deported and deserved it because they chose to do it the wrong way.
by Marie
I completely agree, the Cuevas family was unjustly deported!! The issues about undocumented immigrants related to healthcare, among other things, does not apply to the Cuevases.
The Cuevases broke the law, but they did not deserve the punishment!! !!Unlike others, the Cuevases were no burden to healthcare and American economy.
Immigration laws need to change so cases/situations may be assessed and appropriate punitive measures may be handed out fair and just.
To the Cuevas family, I hope things work out for you!!
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