Couple Wins Delay in Deportation Process

November 26, 2007 (WPVI) -- The next two months will likely decide the fate of a couple from Pennsylvania who are trying to convince the government that they should not be deported. A lot of other people seem to agree.

Doctor, father and upstanding community member, but after 25 years in the states, he and wife may be deported to their native Philippines because of what may be a technicality.

The Servano family emerged from immigration offices in Philadelphia relieved that deportation proceedings against Pedro and Salvacion Servano have been put on hold.

"It's a big relief for our family that they're giving us a chance for 60 days," said Salvacion.

He is a respected doctor in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania. She owns a grocery and bakery in a historic building they restored. Their four children are American citizens, but they are not.

The immigration department found a discrepancy on their visa application 25 years ago, when the couple, then dating, was single. While waiting approval, they married and didn't change their status. The government calls it grounds for denial of American citizenship and deportation.

"I'm dizzy. I feel like I'm in a twister. But we have hope," said Dr. Pedro Servano.

The couple said they did not mean to deceive immigration officials, but rather shield their secret marriage from family back in the Philippines because of old cultural taboos against their marriage. Their problem surfaced when they applied for citizenship in 1990. Last week they got a letter demanding they report to begin the deportation process. Oldest son Steven opened it.

"Stunned. I felt my future was in that letter," said Steven.

The couple is hopeful. Their elderly mothers, his five siblings and dozens of nieces and nephews are American citizens. Their oldest children are Temple University grads. The youngest is a junior in high school.

"It's really hard to know what I am going to do in terms of the children if we have to go back," said Salvacion.

The only thing that could prevent deportation now is a private legislative act, which is essentially a bill addressing the Servano's situation. In the meantime, their visas have been taken and they have to report to immigration every 60 days.

(Copyright 2007 by Action News and 6abc. All Rights Reserved.)

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