(Chicago, IL) – After almost two and a half years in the custody of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Jocelyn Bolante has returned to the Philippines.Mr. Bolante has been represented by AZULAYSEIDEN LAW GROUP in all US immigration matters since he was taken into custody in July, 2006. Mr. Bolante held a validly issued multiple entry visa, but was informed upon arrival to the US that it was revoked. Since that time, Mr. Bolante has argued that his visa was improperly revoked, as he never received notice and the limited information provided about the revocation was inconsistent. Since the system is stacked against ‘immigrants’, (the government never had to produce the consular officials, and Habeas Corpus rights are limited), the US government has not had to prove that they had the right to detain Mr. Bolante. Based on the circumstances, Mr. Bolante believes he was the victim of foul play, and one way he attempted to resolve the matter was through asylum.

Mr. Bolante experienced first-hand the road blocks the immigration system utilizes; he has been before an administrative Immigration Judge, the Board of Immigration Appeals, Federal District Court Judges, and the Circuit Court of Appeals. In February, 2007, a court order denied Mr. Bolante admission to the US without the opportunity to question his visa revocation. Currently, he has a case still pending before the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, which argues that he has a right to this opportunity, and his visa should be reinstated. The case questions the constitutionality of the removal of this right from all immigrants and may survive his return.

“This situation demonstrates some of the most significant difficulties people experience in the current broken US Immigration system.” Said Ira Azulay, CEO of AZULAYSEIDEN LAW GROUP. “Mr. Bolante was taken advantage of, prevented from receiving a Bond, did not receive an opportunity for Habeas Corpus relief and never had a right to question what happened to him. No matter what you think about the circumstances in the Philippines, Mr. Bolante has to be commended for the work he has done to ensure the US government treats all persons fairly.”

Due to personal family concerns, Mr. Bolante has decided that he must return to the Philippines. While he would like to continue to be a champion of the rights of all foreign nationals that enter the US, he must place health and family concerns ahead of what he believes is a morally just cause. Discussions have been underway with US officials for over a month to coordinate his return to the Philippines. Mr. Bolante hopes that he will be able to continue to be a leader of this cause from the Philippines, while also working to resolve issues surrounding his name in the Philippines.