San Francisco judges say persecuted gay immigrant allowed to stay in US (despite drug convictions)

[alp227]

Last edited Sat Aug 3, 2013, 04:37 AM - Edit history (1)

Federal judges have permitted a gay Filipino immigrant to stay in the U.S. despite deportation orders because he has suffered persecution for his sexual orientation in his native land.

In a decision issued Wednesday, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco said 37-year-old Dennis Vitug was harassed and threatened by police in his native Philippines for being a homosexual.

According to Vitug's account, as detailed in the decision, when he was a teenager, other students bullied him and administrators threatened him with expulsion for his effeminate manner.

In 1991, after the family lost their home to the volcanic eruption of Mount Pinatubo, Vitug was denied shelter by his extended family because of his sexual orientation. He moved to Manila alone at age 16, where he was threatened by police, beaten and robbed.

He first visited the U.S. in 1996, returning to the Philippines when his visa expired. Vitug said he struggled to find work because of his sexual orientation.

Vitug moved to the U.S. in 1999 and overstayed a tourist visa while working in the Los Angeles area and studying fashion design.

About two years later, Vitug became addicted to crystal methamphetamine and was convicted of possession several times, relapsing repeatedly despite seeking rehabilitation and counseling.

In 2005, Vitug was diagnosed as HIV positive, leading to another drug relapse and an arrest. He was sentenced to a year in prison. Eight months into the sentence, immigration authorities determined Vitug was eligible for deportation as a result of the conviction.

full: http://www.mercurynews.com/california/ci_23729780/san-francisco-judges-say-persecuted-gay-immigrant-allowed

I think Vitug had his opportunity to achieve the American Dream. Instead, he wasted it, MULTIPLE TIMES.

[NewThinkingChance40]

1. I agree

He had a chance to live the dream, but fell into problems. The real question I have is why there wasn't more done after the first arrest to ensure this didn't happen more. He had good intentions, but made mistakes. Everyone deserves a second chance, and with a little help he may not have relapsed. People come here for many reasons, maybe more could have been done, but he did blow his chance as sad as it is.

[xfundy]

2. "he blew it (no pun intended)"

Since there was no mention of oral sex, blow jobs, etc., in the article, how, exactly, is this comment relevant?

Does your wife or gf blow it? Is that a bad thing? Do you not like it when she "blows" you?

Just what is wrong with someone who blows, or "blew it?" Is it the act, itself? Is it the pleasure derived from it?

Is it SIN, and BabyJeebus is going to destroy the whole damn world because of it?

No pun intended, but what's the point of the comment?

[alp227]

3. Damn it, it doesn't with with meth. N/t