WOMAN FIGHTS FOR CHANCE TO STAY IN THE US Helen Clemente, a native of the Philippines, is fighting to win the right to stay in the US. She recently won a federal court order requiring the INS to pay the $11,456 in legal costs she incurred when the INS detained her last year. The INS did not appeal this order, which is as close as the agency ever comes to admitting that it was wrong.
The check was the most recent in a series of small victories for Clemente. She was brought to the US 10 years ago by Eldon Doty, Sally, a retired police officer and his wife. She worked as a domestic servant. A sham marriage between Clemente and Doty was arranged to allow Clemente to stay in the US. After three years of servitude Clemente fled. The Dotys then worked with the INS to have her deported for marriage fraud.
The INS has come under fire for its handling of this case, and its reliance on the Dotys assistance in proceedings against Clemente. Both US Senators from Oregon, Patty Murray and Slade Gorton, have been active in her case, with Murray questioning why the Dotys, if they were engaged in fraud, have not been prosecuted.
Since deportation proceedings against her were initiated years ago, Clemente has been granted a divorce from Doty and married a US citizen with whom she has two children. She has been granted a temporary stay of deportation, and has also been granted temporary work authorization.
Her case is currently before the Ninth Circuit, which must either uphold the deportation order against her or order that she be given a new hearing. Both the INS and the US Attorney have said that they have no intention of prosecuting the Dotys. < Back | Next > Disclaimer: This newsletter is provided as a public service and not intended to establish an attorney client relationship. Any reliance on information contained herein is taken at your own risk. | 
