US fugitive wanted for contempt of court nabbed in Manila – BI

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced the arrest of an American woman wanted by federal authorities in the US for contempt of court and defying a court order in a child custody case.

Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente identified the fugitive as Cyndie Mamuad Mesina, 54, who was arrested Thursday along Roxas Blvd., Ermita, Manila by operatives from the BI’s Fugitive Search Unit (FSU).

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Morente said Mesina is already an overstaying alien, and does not possess a valid travel document as confirmed by US authorities.

A mission order for her immediate arrest was issued by Morente at the request of US authorities. Mesina is subject of an arrest warrant issued by the Superior Court of California in County of San Mateo after citing her in contempt of court and for child abduction or depravation of custody.

While details on her case are unavailable, said violations refer to the act of one parent keeping a child from the other parent despite a court order prohibiting it. Mesina has likewise reportedly engaged in behavior that is disrespectful to the court process in the US, hence was issued the warrant.

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US fugitive wanted for contempt of court nabbed in Manila – BI

The fugitive was turned over to the BI’s Warden Facility at Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City pending issuance of the order for her deportation by the BI Board of Commissioners.

According to the BI, her name will be included in the BI’s blacklist, effectively banning her from re-entering the Philippines.

Meanwhile, BI announced that American citizens who are currently in the country, and whose US passports have expired on or after January 1, 2020, can now use said passports to depart the Philippines.

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A memorandum order issued by Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente directed all BI personnel assigned in the different ports to allow the departure of passengers whose US passports are expired from January 1 last year and are expiring up to December 31 of this year.

Morente said that the use of said expired passports by departing US-bound passengers will only be allowed until December 31, 2021.

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