Trans Pinay detained in Japan released
Trans Pinay detained in Japan released
By Ysh Cabana
The Philippine Reporter
TORONTO–Pat, 28 years old, who had been detained in a Japanese immigration facility, was released on October 6.
Following the campaigns to release the Pato-chan, as she is called by Filipino and Japanese support groups, the trans Filipina migrant worker was granted provisional release from the Tokyo Immigration Bureau and reunited with her family who came to pick her up, according to online news site Buzzfeed.
She expressed gratitude for the several dozens of supporters in an interview. “I would like to say thank you very much to everyone who has supported me for a long time.”
Pat was reportedly housed in a separate room apart from female inmates because of gender identity and was given lesser free time than other inmates.
“All LGBT people should be treated equally as people (with others). I was isolated because I was transgender, and my free time was staggered and I was alone all the time. At first I was crying all the time. I was there,” said Pat.
“The immigration response has not changed. I want the immigration to understand transgender and LGBT correctly and to change the response.”
In summer this year, a petition campaign was started to ask for Pat’s provisional release, and more than 17,000 signatures were collected by “#FREEUSHIKU” which supports foreigners who are being held in immigration detention facilities. On August 11, her application was submitted to the Japanese Immigration Bureau along with a petition for improved treatment and permission for her provisional release.
Taiga Ishikawa, a member of the House of Councilors and LGBT activist, also visited the Immigration Bureau with a rainbow-colored bouquet and welcomed Pat’s provisional release.
“I met Pat many times, but every time I met her, she has weakened and lost energy. You can see how long-term detention is depressing. I would like to make efforts to revise the Immigration Control Act for long-term detention,” said Ishikawa.
As published in a previous story by The Philippine Reporter, Pat was held in the immigration detention facility for staying in Japan after the expiration of her residency status.
Her legal representation says the next plan is for her to obtain a special residence permit in the future.
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