Filipino Nursing Aide Returns to Philippines After Deportation Decision
NEW YORK – Filipino nursing aide Jovi Esperanza, who faced charges of assaulting a patient, has returned to the Philippines after choosing voluntary deportation, according to Migrante New Jersey.
Esperanza, 31, spent three months detained at the Strafford County Correctional Facility in New Hampshire. He was held alongside his co-accused, Dhenmark Francisco.
Before leaving on January 29, Esperanza connected with Migrante New Jersey via a video call from the detention center. During this call, he thanked the group for their unwavering support during his difficult time.
“Your support has been invaluable, even though I didn’t personally know any of you. It helped me endure this ordeal,” Esperanza shared.
“I am truly grateful for all your efforts. Despite your own responsibilities, you took the time to help me. They have given me my departure date—the 29th. I look forward to giving back, if not to you, then to others who might find themselves in a similar situation,” he added.
AJ Santos from Migrante reported that Esperanza later confirmed his safe arrival in the Philippines and reunion with his family.
Esperanza and Francisco were accused of aggravated assault after allegedly attacking a 52-year-old male patient at their workplace in a New Jersey rehabilitation center in October 2024. The patient was hospitalized in critical condition.
Both men claimed self-defense, insisting that the patient attacked them first.
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Eduardo De Vega mentioned that the DFA allocated money last year for the legal assistance of Esperanza and Francisco. However, this money could not be accessed while Esperanza was detained.
“The DFA released funds from the Legal Assistance Fund (LAF) for legal expenses related to the criminal case. However, since Esperanza was in custody, the funds couldn’t be disbursed to him,” De Vega explained to GMA Integrated News.
Meanwhile, Francisco is still held at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in Massachusetts.
