Immigration downgrades Sister Fox’s visa

Australian nun Patricia Fox’s missionary visa has been downgraded to a temporary visitor’s visa that will expire on Nov. 3. DAVE TACON / THE GUARDIAN

MANILA – The Bureau of Immigration downgraded on Friday missionary Patricia Fox’s missionary visa to temporary visitor’s visa that will expire on Nov. 3.

Immigration spokeswoman Dana Krizia Sandoval said the Australian nun’s 59-day temporary visitor’s visa started on Sept. 5, the day her appeal for an extended missionary visa was denied.

It is still too early to tell if Fox will be given an extension beyond the Nov. 3 deadline, Sandoval said, noting that they also await the outcome of the 71-year-old nun’s appeal before the Department of Justice.

“The [Bureau of Immigration] still needs to wait for the decision of the [Justice department] on Sister Fox’s appeal before acting on her deportation,” she said. “Her temporary visitor’s visa was granted without prejudice to the appeal.”

Immigration operatives arrested Fox on April 16 pursuant to a mission order issued by Commissioner Jaime Morente for allegedly violating the conditions of her stay in the country by engaging in political activities and antigovernment demonstrations.

Fox, a coordinator of a Roman Catholic order of nuns, has worked for the poor in the country for about 27 years.

An advocate for human rights and workers’ welfare advocate, she has joined rallies against President Rodrigo Duterte and the government, which has been criticized for stifling dissent and for its brutal war on illegal drugs.

Fox filed a petition on May 25 before the Justice department seeking the reversal of Immigration’s leave order on May 17 that forfeited her missionary visa and gave her a temporary visitor’s visa lasting only 30 days.

In its order, the Immigration dismissed Fox’s arguments that they forfeited her visa without due process and that allegations that she engaged in political activities were not backed with solid evidence.

On June 18 the Justice department nullified the Immigration order to forfeit Fox’s missionary visa, noting that it was “without legal basis” and outside the bureau’s power./PN

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