OFW

Few weeks ago, majority of the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) shared a common sentiment with regards to an article written by Malu Fernandez. This synchronized tune seems to be fading fast with everyone having a different beat on a particular occurrence involving an OFW.

Last Friday, I received an email from a former officemate about an incident that took place in Seattle Airport last August 31 involving a Filipino engineer and his family. Attached in the said email is the letter of OFW A (I won’t be mentioning their names here) to the hiring agency. Discrimination was way too obvious in some portions of the letter. Granted that what was written was true, I really hope it won’t happen again.

After your confirmation that the E-2 Visa problem has been resolved for Engineers and even dependents, I have rescheduled my flight booking to August 31. Unfortunately, upon our entry to Seattle Immigration, I and my family were forced to turn around and return to the Philippines. There were no questions asked on the Immigration booth.

She even told me that we should have been put to jail and banned for entering the U.S.A. for 5 years. Also, because I am a Filipino I should be included in their block list. But, none of these will happen if I agree to buy a ticket and go home willingly. In my opinion, this was already some sort of harassment to my family. I was not even allowed to use my mobile phone to contact people I know and request help. I requested that I should be given the privilege to contact my employer so that things could be fixed if this was just a misunderstanding.

We were holding a valid and genuine E-2 Visa. And yet, we were detained and treated like criminals for 12 hours. Considering that I have my kids with me, whom are minors. My son is nine years old and my daughter is seven years old. Is it legal to detain minors for 12 hours? We were tired and hungry when we arrived in Seattle and after the long wait for the interrogation to finish. Actually, it was me who requested the interrogation to be stopped. The set of questions were already repeated three times. I just told the Officer that the questions were answered three times already and my family needs me to be with them at that time, since they were in shock and scared.

I am also hoping that upon resolving the issue, my family’s record could be corrected on the US and Philippine Immigration. One more thing, the CBP Enforcement Officer had insisted to me that XXX current operation is illegal. I tried to reason out with her that XXX is complete with the appropriate papers with an Immigration Lawyer. But, she never listened. Instead she told me that all Filipino Engineers working in Houston are all illegal. And, they can be arrested anytime. Also, the Officer told me that they are thinking of putting a Border Patrol in Houston to catch all XXX E-2 Visa holders.

A few months back, a similar incident had happened too. I don’t know the status of the engineer who was sent back to the Philippines and his 5-year visa was revoked upon his return.

If these engineers had complied with all the requirements, why do they have to experience this kind of treatment? I mean, you wouldn’t be granted a 5-year visa by the US Embassy if you are to work “illegally” as what the officer had insinuated. It must be legal. Otherwise, your application will be denied.

OFW A must feel terribly bad. He sure felt helpless seeing his children, in their innocence, played by Mr. Discrimination.

Somewhere in Middle East, OFW B, a concerned individual, sent a letter to Her Excellency PGMA.

We would like to bring to your Excellency’s attention this incident that happened to our citizens, our kababayan who had allegedly suffered illegal detention, anguish and harassment in the hands of the Seattle Immigration, USA upon arrival in the US mainland to fulfill an employment which never took place due to this incident.

One of the more important issues here is the kind, the way; the CBP Enforcement Officer had treated our citizens like criminals (they are a family with innocent children).

Interrogating and detaining them for 12 hours for possessing a valid visas, XXX employment contract and treating them inhumanely is a clear violation of human rights.

Quoting the words of the CBP Enforcement Officer, She said that, “ All Filipino Engineers working in Houston are all illegal. And, they can be arrested anytime. Also, the Officer told me that they are thinking of putting a Border Patrol
in Houston to catch all XXX E-2 Visa holders."

This is a very serious accusations indeed, and MUST BE LOOKED INTO BY OUR GOVERNMENT, TO PROTECT OUR CITIZENS AND TO AVOID ANY REPETITIONS OF SUCH INHUMANE TREATMENT.

Madame President, we knew that you would not let this happen to your citizens. We kindly ask that an appropriate investigation be done and that those CBP Enforcement Officer be punished and a rectification on the damage done on the part of our citizen, OFW A and family be immediately provided by the concerned parties.

We wish you all the best and most of all good health, your Excellency.

This email prompted OFW C, an engineer working in Houston to react

Hello Sir,

nabasa ko lang yung e-mail mo kay pres.arroyo..thank you sa sympathy at sa concern..pero gusto kong malaman mo na mukhang sa sulat mo eh palalain mo pa sitwasyon..ano man ang nangyari kay OFW A and his family is an isolated case..nangyayari kahit kanino at kahit saang bansa.Gusto kong malaman nyo na OK kami dito..walang problema sa employment,sumsahod kami sa oras,puro bago at magagara ang kotse.Di lang talaga stable ang visa namin at pwedeng mangyari kanino man ang nangyari kay OFW A,laging may risk pag galing bakasyon pero anong magagawa namin,mahigpit sila dito.. america to..walang kaming problema sa employment ang naging problema lang ay sa immigration at nakatyempo nga si OFW A ng mahigpit na officer..alam mo naman siguro ang batas kahit saang bansa..kahit may visa ka na,they have the rgiht to deny your entry..at talagang wala kang rights kasi di kanila citizens..ano ba irereklamo nyo o namin?..it's their laws and policy at palagay ko walang kapangyarihan ang gobyerno natin sa batas ng ibang bansa.Nasa middle east ka,anong alam mo sa nangyayari dito?..our employer and our employer's attorney is doing everything para mabigyan ng solusyon ang problema sa immigration sa airport...Again,thank you sa concern mo and sana wag kang basta-basta susulat kung kani-kanino,na wala namang consent galing samin dito..kung may reklamo man di galing sa middle east o saan mang bansa...kung di samin..alam mo naman sa pinas pagnamedia to they will do everything to further infuriarated the situation..magmumukha kaming kawawa dito na hindi naman..baka gusto mong sumikat,eh wag mo naman kaming gamitin..peace

Lots have been said already and it will further continue. The replies look as if its becoming a war of OFWs in the US versus OFWs the Middle East. Which I believe, OFW A wouldn’t want to see happening.

OFW B had some valid points. He may not be directly involved and is not working in the US but he had raised some issues that need to be look at. He had clearly stated his main concern, about the treatment OFW A suffered despite possessing a valid visa.

On the other hand, OFW C had some valid points too. But the way he delivered his concern is a bit off. He could have written it in subtly. Some OFWs had better benefits than what you have mentioned, so I guess no need to highlight those parts.

In my humble opinion though, if case this incident will be “sensationalized” and all engineers working in US be investigated, they need not worry at all since they can confidently present their document as legal workers, right?

Incidents like these will continue to happen if it will not be resolved the soonest. Keeping mum sometimes helps. Sometimes it serves as venue for more abuses. Every OFW around the world needs to be more vigilant. Not all the times we have to succumb to abuses and discriminations.

Just my fuckin’ 2 cents.

/totomai
09/10/07