Ailing grandma faces deportation from US
LOS ANGELES—An ailing 70-year-old Filipino grandmother and green card holder is facing deportation after four decades in the United States, and her family is worried she might not survive the long flight to the Philippines.
Rebecca Pinyerd suffers from severe kidney disease, thyroid issues and uncontrolled blood pressure, according to her family and migrant rights advocates with Tanggol Migrante.
John Emiliano of Tanggol Migrante Chicago (TMC) told Inquirer.net USA that Pinyerd has been in detention for the past nine months and her health problems have worsened due to alleged medical neglect at detention facilities.
“Putting Tita Rebecca on a long flight would have exacerbated her conditions and put her life at risk,” he said.
Deportation flight canceled
Pinyerd was scheduled for deportation to the Philippines on Jan. 2, but the advocates were “able to secure a victory in getting United Airlines to cancel her deportation flight,” pending a medical clearance for Pinyerd to fly, Emiliano said.
TMC has launched a phone and email campaign, supported by testimonies from medical professionals, to convince United Airlines to cancel the flight from Chicago O’Hare International Airport to the Philippines.
“A major concern is that her blood pressure is still uncontrolled. Tita Rebecca is at especially high risk for venous thromboembolism (blood clots) during long-distance travel and prolonged immobility, which can cause lung damage and even sudden death,” Dr. Dominic Robolino said at a recent press conference in front of the Philippine Consulate in Chicago.
National unity call
Pinyerd was scheduled to be transported from a federal facility in Clay County, Indiana, to the airport the night before her Jan. 2 flight.
On Dec. 30, TMC held a national unity call with over 300 attendees from across the United States, including union members, migrant advocates, health-care workers and community members to support the call to stop Pinyerd’s deportation and demand proper medical examination and treatment for the ailing grandmother.
“We shall keep fighting for Tita Rebecca to be treated with the care and respect she deserves and until she is free,” TMC said in a statement.
Consulate help sought
TMC said they have asked the Philippine Consulate in Chicago to help ensure Pinyerd has access to medication, advocate for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement to release Pinyerd’s full medical records to her family and guarantee a comprehensive medical exam by an external provider.
Pinyerd, who was arrested more than two decades ago on drug charges, spent 19 years in prison, Pinyerd’s daughter, April Lowe, told CBS News. She was rebuilding her life with her husband in North Carolina.
“She’s been active in the church, she donates, she gets up at four in the morning and takes walks,” Lowe said.
Following her release, Pinyerd was required to do an annual check-in with the Department of Homeland Security. She was taken into custody during her March 2025 check-in, Lowe said.
