While detained in South Louisiana ICE Processing Center, Royina Garma may still seek asylum, given that US immigration officials can confirm that she has a 'credible fear' of persecution or torture
More than half a year since retired police colonel and Philippine drug war whistleblower Royina Garma sought asylum in the United States, her lawyer Emerito Quilang confirmed to Rappler on Tuesday, July 8, that she is still being held up at the South Louisiana Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Processing Center.
Quilang disclosed that he is handling her cases in the Philippines where she is facing murder and frustrated murder complaints over the killing of retired police officer and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) official Wesley Barayuga in 2029.
Asked about the legal conundrum that Garma faces given strict US immigration laws under the Donald Trump administration, Garma’s lawyer said he was still “in the dark” on the matter.
So what is going on with Garma in the “Land of The Free”?
It can be recalled that Garma flew to the US on November 7, 2024, and was apprehended in San Francisco, California.
At the final House quad committee hearing on June 9, Department of Foreign Affairs Passport Division Assistant Director Charlie Florian Prenicolas revealed to lawmakers that an expedited removal order was issued against Garma upon her arrival in San Francisco.
Prenicolas said that he got this information from the Philippine Consulate General in Houston which also...
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