An elderly man, Loreto Javar, from Fife, Washington, has been detained by federal immigration officials, leading to missed medical treatments. His detention raises serious health concerns, according to his family and supporters.
Javar, 76, has been held at the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma since June 23, after being detained during a U.S. citizenship interview in Tukwila. Despite suffering from stage 4 prostate cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the green card holder from the Philippines remains in custody, as reported by his daughter, Daisy Javar.
“I want him out today,” Daisy Javar, 52, stated to Newsweek. An immigration judge extended Loreto Javar’s case until September 20, which means missing another crucial cancer treatment appointment. Daisy alleged irregular mealtime schedules in custody hinder his recovery. “It’s always late,” she said. “He’s getting medication and he needs to eat on time. But medications are given on time, luckily.”
The detention occurred during what was expected to be a routine interview. Authorities claim involvement in a 1970s altercation in the Philippines with fatal consequences led to his arrest. Loreto admitted to serving about three years in a Philippine jail before parole, as found in court documents.
“I just want them to treat people humanely,” Daisy Javar emphasized. Moe Cinco, from Tanggol Migrante, voices concern about the missed third oncology appointment, pushing for his release by September 4. The group also calls for the Philippine consulate in Seattle to advocate for his release, but pleas have gone unanswered.
“Consulate officials have a duty to protect their national,” Cinco stated. Over 150 signatures support a petition urging consulate action. It reads, “No national should have to beg their own government to defend them.”
Loreto, a retired hotel worker and father, moved to the U.S. in 1995, where he lived for nearly three decades contributing to society. “He was detained while attending his U.S. citizenship interview,” the petition states.
ICE officials said he failed to disclose a criminal conviction in his visa application, rendering him ineligible then and now, according to ICE spokesperson Jason Chudy.
Daisy remains hopeful for her father’s compassionate release by the immigration officials. “I’m just hoping to get him out by the 20th,” she said.