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Help Save Miss Tess!
On
February 26, 1986, President Ronald Reagan sent U.S. military
aircraft to bring Miss Teresita Huppanda to America. “Miss
Tess” had just been hired as a nanny for a close associate
of Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos. Suddenly, she
became part of the “Marcos Entourage,” and found herself
in exile from her native Philippines.
At the time, the US government sought to entice Miss
Tess and the others to come to America, and then to stay.
President Reagan
wanted to insure a peaceful transition to newly elected
regime of Cory Aquino. The future of democracy in the
Philippines was at stake.
The U.S. government promised “safe haven” in America,
including: the ability to work, send kids to school, and
to leave and re-enter the United States. One other key
promise was made: that Miss
Tess could stay “indefinitely”.
Now the US government denies
that it ever made such a promise.
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Miss Tess, with suitcases packed, waits
for the verdict.
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After 18 years as a productive member of society, Tess is a
homeowner and works as a cashier at Wal-Mart. US Immigration
& Customs Enforcement – ICE - had planned to deport Miss
Tess to the Philippines on December
6, 2004.
At the 11th hour, Federal District Court Judge William Alsup
granted Miss Tess a Stay
of Removal, with trial on the merits scheduled for June
of 2005!
Tess needs YOUR help!
On these pages, you will find a brief bio
of Tess Huppanda's life. You can also read press
releases, press coverage and the
legal history of Tess Huppanda's
case. The long legal battle that Miss Tess has fought against
the US government (since 1992) has depleted her savings, costing
thousands of dollars.
Please make a donation to help her fight
to stay in the United States.
Teresita Huppanda is represented by James R. Mayock of Elliot
& Mayock LLP.
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