JFAV SUPPORTS SERVANO FAMILY NOT TO BE DEPORTED

Los Angeles – The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) declares its unequivocal support for the Filipino couple Dr.Pedro Servano and his wife,Salvacion Capistrano not to be deported.

The JFAV Coordinator Arturo P. Garcia noted that Dr,Servano is a prominent family physician in Selinsgrove, an underserved area of Pennsylvania. Salvacion,was petitioned by a Filipino veteran – Bataan defender and death march survivor,who passed away in 2006.

JFAV also pointed out that the couple have stayed in the U.S, for the last 25 years and have four grown children. The JFAV, an alliance of World War II veterans, advocates, students and youth in California said that the latest decision not to detain them or deport them was a step in the right direction.

The couple began their life together in Philadelphia where Pedro studied and practice medicine while Salvacion continued with nursing. Then in 1990 moving to San Diego they applied for citizenship.

That when their travails began. The immigration officer noticed discrepancies in their application and accused the couple of lying and misrepresenting their marital status-a ground for deportation. For 17 years ,the Servanos waged a long legal battle since then. In 2002, they lost at the ninth Circuit Court Of Appeals.

They were due to be deported but a groundswell of support from the community. A prayer vigil was held last week and an on line petition with thousands of signatures was set up.

JFAV Coordinator Arturo P. Garcia said “chapters in Los Angeles,San Diego and other parts of the U.S support their just struggle.”

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