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Woman's Dream Of Citizenship Turns Into Nightmare
Jerome Faces Deportation For Allegedly Lying On Application

POSTED: 3:50 pm PDT June 22, 2005
UPDATED: 4:42 pm PDT June 22, 2005

SAN DIEGO -- A Spring Valley mother of three hoping for U.S. citizenship says a simple mistake on her application could get get her deported to the Philippines , 10News reported.

Loida Jerome told 10News she needs a miracle to keep from being deported.

According to 10News, Jerome, who was raised in the Philippines, was forced into an arranged marriage. However, the marriage quickly fell apart and she moved to Hong Kong, which is where she met the man of her dreams, Paul Jerome, a sailor based in San Diego.

In the mid-1990s, immigration officials discovered Loida Jerome never divorced her first husband -- something she didn't mention on her citizenship application.

"They told us point blank she is going to to be deported," Paul Jerome said.

She was accused of lying and asked to leave the country, 10News reported.

"I haven't been sleeping for how many nights now. I haven't been eating," Loida Jerome told 10News.

The Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement told 10News Loida Jerome was given the opportunity to leave voluntarily in 1998. She then got a five-year extension.

Since 2003, when she got her final deportation order, she has been living in the United States illegally. The Jeromes claim they got bad legal advice.

Loida Jerome turned herself in to officials Wednesday.

"It's heartbreaking for a mother to leave her three children," Paul Jerome said.

According to 10News, Loida Jerome was forced to leave her three sons behind after she was taken into custody and sent to the federal jail, where she awaits deportation.

"All they know is their mommy will be gone ... The little ones have no idea," Paul Jerome said.

Paul Jerome will now take care of the children. But, he told 10News he is afraid he will be called to active duty later this year, and the kids who are home-schooled will suffer.

"She's the primary care giver to our children," Paul Jerome said.

If Loida Jerome is deported, which could happen within a week, she will try to get a working visa in Canada where the family can reunite.