Chris
10-20-2004, 04:20:48 PM
Couple accused of holding immigrant as maid for 20 years
Associated Press
Oct. 20, 2004 08:15 AM
MILWAUKEE - Two physicians have been indicted on charges alleging that for 20 years they kept an undocumented immigrant in their home, a woman who told investigators she was not paid or allowed to leave without an escort except for shopping.
Jefferson N. and Elnora M. Calimlim of Brookfield were charged Tuesday with one count each of harboring an undocumented immigrant and conspiracy to harbor an undocumented immigrant, and were freed without bail.
"To hold a domestic servant in virtual servitude for 20 years is a shocking callous disregard for our nation's most deeply held values," said Brian Falvey, resident agent in charge for U.S. Immigration and Customs enforcement in Milwaukee.
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A defense attorney denied the accusations.
Investigators are trying to determine if the Calimlims sent money to the maid's family in the Philippines as promised. The couple agreed to pay the woman $100 per month from 1985 to 1995 and $400 a month thereafter, but the woman said she has never seen the money, according to a search warrant affidavit.
The affidavit said the maid, Erma Martinez, told investigators the Calimlims did not allow her to date, go to movies or socialize with anyone outside the family unless the couple determined that person was trustworthy.
When Martinez requested help to return to the Philippines to visit her ill father, the couple told her they would help her obtain a visa "but have failed to do so for 20 years," the affidavit said.
An attorney for Jefferson Calimlim, Tom Brown, said Martinez was not held against her will and that her wages were sent to her family in the Philippines.
"It would be a significant stretch to say that this lady could not have walked away any time she wanted to and that there weren't innumerable times that she was totally on her own and couldn't have walked away or said something," Brown said.
~Chris
Associated Press
Oct. 20, 2004 08:15 AM
MILWAUKEE - Two physicians have been indicted on charges alleging that for 20 years they kept an undocumented immigrant in their home, a woman who told investigators she was not paid or allowed to leave without an escort except for shopping.
Jefferson N. and Elnora M. Calimlim of Brookfield were charged Tuesday with one count each of harboring an undocumented immigrant and conspiracy to harbor an undocumented immigrant, and were freed without bail.
"To hold a domestic servant in virtual servitude for 20 years is a shocking callous disregard for our nation's most deeply held values," said Brian Falvey, resident agent in charge for U.S. Immigration and Customs enforcement in Milwaukee.
advertisement
A defense attorney denied the accusations.
Investigators are trying to determine if the Calimlims sent money to the maid's family in the Philippines as promised. The couple agreed to pay the woman $100 per month from 1985 to 1995 and $400 a month thereafter, but the woman said she has never seen the money, according to a search warrant affidavit.
The affidavit said the maid, Erma Martinez, told investigators the Calimlims did not allow her to date, go to movies or socialize with anyone outside the family unless the couple determined that person was trustworthy.
When Martinez requested help to return to the Philippines to visit her ill father, the couple told her they would help her obtain a visa "but have failed to do so for 20 years," the affidavit said.
An attorney for Jefferson Calimlim, Tom Brown, said Martinez was not held against her will and that her wages were sent to her family in the Philippines.
"It would be a significant stretch to say that this lady could not have walked away any time she wanted to and that there weren't innumerable times that she was totally on her own and couldn't have walked away or said something," Brown said.
~Chris