‘Trafficked’ Pinay free on bail from US detention

A Filipina teacher in the United States, allegedly a victim of human trafficking, has walked free from immigration detention after a group of Filipinos paid for her $1,600 bond and additional $10,000 collateral bond. Melinda Suarez (not her real name), 45, received temporary freedom from the Rappahanock Regional Jail in Virginia early Tuesday, aided by the Washington, DC-based Migrant Heritage Commission (MHC), which is handling her case. Suarez will return to court on Thursday for her next case hearing in Virginia. Melinda, who used to teach in the Philippines’ Mountain Province, arrived in the US in 2007 on an H1B visa, and taught at a school in New Mexico. The school dismissed her after a month at work, without stating an official reason. The recruitment agency allegedly sent Melinda abroad with no job waiting for her. Thousands of Filipino teachers, who have suffered the same fate, have either decided to return home or chosen to stay put and work on their immigration status. Melinda has “vowed to fight… her deportation proceedings before the immigration court," said MHC executive director Arnedo Valera, whose group represents her in immigration the court proceedings for free. Charges are also being prepared against the illegal recruiter, reported the Migrant Heritage Chronicle News Flash. "Our migrant community is very much alive and united in this case. Their show of concern to a fellow Filipino migrant is what 'living a life that matters' is all about," MHC co-executive director Grace Valera-Jaramillo said. "We need more community involvement and volunteerism in providing services to the immigrant community especially the legal services," added another MHC co-executive director, Jesse Gatchalian. The Philippines is on the US watch list on trafficking. In its 2010 human trafficking report, the US State Department said trafficking in the Philippines thrives due to an “inefficient judicial system" and “endemic corruption." “The vast majority of initiated trafficking prosecutions are usually unsuccessful, largely due to lack of evidence after victims disappear or withdraw cooperation," the report added. (See: Aquino admin taking tougher stance vs human trafficking) — PE/VS, GMA News