A 76-year-old man suffering from advanced prostate cancer has been held by federal immigration officials for over two months, leading to missed crucial treatments, according to his family and supporters. Loreto Javar, residing in Fife, Washington, has been detained at the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma since June 23, which followed his citizenship interview in Tukwila.
Loreto, originally from the Philippines and a green card holder, is battling several severe health conditions, including stage 4 prostate cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as reported by his daughter, Daisy Javar.
A recent court hearing granted a case extension until September 20, which will cause Loreto to miss another essential cancer treatment appointment. Daisy Javar expressed concern over irregular mealtimes provided to her father in custody, which complicates his recovery, although she noted that medication administration remains timely.
During what was anticipated to be a routine interview, Loreto was detained, with allegations suggesting his entrapment prior to arrest. While Daisy Javar chose not to provide further details, court documents cited by the Seattle Times indicated that federal officials referenced an altercation from the 1970s in the Philippines, which resulted in a fatality.
Loreto served approximately three years in jail before his parole release, information he conveyed to immigration officials upon his arrest, according to reports.
Moe Cinco from the Tanggol Migrante Movement, advocating for Loreto’s release, commented on Loreto’s continued separation from necessary cancer treatment, noting another oncology appointment scheduled for September 4.
The organization is urging intervention from Philippine consulate officials in Seattle, whom Loreto’s family has appealed to multiple times without response. The petition from Tanggol Migrante calls for consular action and has acquired over 150 signatures.
Loreto moved to the United States in 1995, reuniting with his father, and has since worked, family-raised, and contributed to society. ICE officials stated that Loreto’s arrest in June was due to failing to disclose a criminal conviction while applying for his visa.
This omission would have made him ineligible during his initial application, and consequently, ICE considers him ineligible to remain in the country now.
Daisy Javar remains hopeful that her father will be released on compassionate grounds, aiming for his release by September 20.