US immigration office halts Filipina’s deportation after public outcry

Karla Gaerlan, baby Christopher, U.S. Army Specialist Thad Schmierer. Photo by rciriacruz

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) cancelled the deportation order for Karla Gaerlan, an undocumented immigrant from the Philippines, following hundreds of emails and phone calls from community members and a protest/press conference this morning.

ICE had scheduled Karla’s deportation this Sunday – Father’s Day.

Thad Schmierer, Karla’s husband, is a member of the U.S. Army.  Karla and Thad have a nine-month-old baby boy.

Also, earlier today, eight members of the House of Representatives joined immigrant rights organizations calling for a halt to deportations while immigration reform moves through Congress.