The sad story of Noriko Calderon

Some painful lessons in illegal migration

By Carlo Osi
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 15:52:00 04/15/2009

WASHINGTON D.C., United States—There are many reasons why Filipinos and citizens of other economically struggling countries migrate to the United States, Japan, United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, and Australia, just to name a few. These immigrants, whether legal or illegal, believe that greener pastures await them in those countries.

They may also want to fast-track their careers, permanently visit relatives, join their loved ones, or try some new thing abroad. Immigrants may likewise be too sick of the dirty play of domestic politics and the culturally ingrained corruption in government and in the private sector, or simply too wary of the ills of a confused culture. Whatever the reason, they flock to the embassies for their ticket from poverty, disillusion, and helplessness.

The Calderons

Take the case of the parents of 13-year-old Noriko Calderon. Her surname immediately rings a bell as it’s a common, Spanish-derived Filipino surname. But Noriko is foreign-sounding. Yes, it is a Japanese girl’s name. Noriko was born of Filipino parents, Arlan and Sarah Calderon, who migrated to Japan illegally in the early 1990s.

After over a decade in Japan, perhaps not going back to the Philippines even a single time in those years, Sarah Calderon was arrested by Japanese officials in 2006 for her illegal stay. By that time, Arlan Calderon was gainfully employed, and everyone in the family speaks fluent Japanese. Noriko has presumably never visited the Philippines, never learned Tagalog or any other Philippine dialect, and has so integrated into Japanese ways that she is culturally Japanese and not in any way Filipino—except the fact that both her parents are Filipinos.

Arlan and Sarah Calderon did not want to be deported from Japan without a fight, so they engaged a lawyer who fought for them all the way to the High Court. The court ruled against them, quite expectedly, and gave the young Noriko a choice between going back with her parents to the Philippines or staying in Japan. Born and raised in Japan with probably no idea what the Philippines was about, Noriko chose to stay where she is. She was in her Japanese school uniform, crying and in distraught when her parents were boarding the flight that brought them back to their homeland.

This is a sad tale about the life and struggles of illegal immigration. The Calderons’ lawyer argued that it was not about Japanese immigration laws but what would be in the best interest of the 13-year-old child. True, but anyone who has lived and socially interacted in Japan would immediately think that Japanese authorities would not bend any law or regulation and would, in fact, fiercely implement their statutes. In short, there was almost no way the Calderons would not be deported.

Japan and its uniqueness

Japan is a contrast of wonders. On the bright side, Japan is a wonderful place to be in, any time of the year. The people are peace-loving, attentive, polite, and demure. There is literally a near-zero crime rate in most parts of Japan. Almost no one violates traffic rules, no violence in the streets, almost no protest actions against the government, and everyone is always courteous. There is a pervading cultural discipline that one feels immediately upon walking the streets, going to restaurants, or meeting the people. Japan also has a vibrant economy, many scenic attractions, a distinct and marvelous culture, and an efficient government. It even provides so many scholarships to deserving students from all over the world every year.

But, as in any culture, it also has some darker sides. There is so much rigidity imbedded in its culture that seemingly no one is flexible. There are hierarchies in corporations, universities, homes, and even social places that are unbendable. Japanese individuals who try to disobey these rigidities and hierarchies are often characterized as protruding nails that should be hammered down to teach them a lesson. Everyone follows a strict, straight line and a handed down order. Do otherwise and one will be subjected to extreme penalties, if not social ostracism. Older bureaucrats who were products of a very strict, post war regimen are not expected to adapt to anything.

Immigration to Japan: some painful lessons

This is perhaps the fate suffered by the Calderon family. For the Japanese immigration authorities, it was black and white. For them, beyond the notion of preserving family unity, the Calderon parents broke the law and should suffer the penalties of arrest and eventual deportation. There were no ifs and buts. It matters not to these rigid immigration bosses that the child will be separated from her parents. Perhaps their conscience is cleansed by the choices they gave the girl: your parents (and go back to a country you don’t know) or Japan (and stay in the country where you grew up).

Unfortunately, the choice they gave Noriko was far from fair. It may be correct given the strict wordings and statutory construction of Japanese immigration law. On the issue of humanity, however, it was a horrible set of choices to give a child. It can even be considered callous. It must be remembered that the Japanese environment where Noriko grew up is such a very distinct and different culture that she will feel lost anywhere else in the world. Had she grown up in the United States or in any English-speaking country, then a transition to the Philippines may not be as difficult. But transitioning from a purely Japanese environment to a Philippine culture would be extremely arduous and painful.

For some, her parents are to blame. Certainly, the Japanese authorities are claiming this. But are the parents to blame? The perspective of any economically struggling country will vary, but generally these nations will not blame them. They were simply seeking better opportunities for themselves and their families which is why they immigrated.

The better and larger question is: How come there are so many unresolved problems in struggling nations that force their nationals to seek opportunities abroad that may or will subject them to the risks of discrimination, maltreatment, cruelty, or deportation?

These are but some of the painful lessons to be learned from immigrating illegally to a country that is not known for accepting immigrants with open arms. There are certainly many more tragic stories of Filipinos and other nationals who migrate to Japan, Saudi Arabia, and even the United States. There are thousands of nameless and faceless people languishing in jails and detention centers waiting for a chance to be heard in court.

The recent killing by US Navy Seals of three Somali pirates who captured American ship captain Richard Philips is noteworthy. It has been said that to be able to rid the world of these Somali pirates, there should be a great effort to fix Somalia. In the same way, to be able to rid ourselves of illegal immigration to Japan, the United States and elsewhere, we need to fix the Philippines. And that is one tough task.

The author spent several years in Japan as a scholar and expatriate. He is a US- and Japan-trained lawyer with a Master of Laws degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School and a Certificate of Business from Wharton.

Send comments to carlo.osi@gmail.com or through http://eastofturtleisland.blogspot.com/.