On Friday, visiting Honolulu Immigration Judge Clarence M. Wagner granted Macaraeg’s voluntary departure on or before Dec. 28, 2011.
Otherwise, the voluntary departure order will automatically be converted into an order of removal, the court said.
“We are very happy. This is the best Christmas gift for us,” said Ella M. Gutierrez, Macaraeg’s eldest daughter, in an overseas telephone interview with the Variety.
“I hope he will be present and join me for my oath taking [today],” added Gutierrez, who will be taking her oath as a licensed teacher in the northern Philippines summer capital, Baguio City.
“Our prayers have been answered in finally seeing our father. I can not move on without my father,” Gutierrez said.
“We miss you so much Papang Pidiong,” said Gutierrez.
Fifteen grandchildren are also waiting to see Macaraeg, Gutierrez added.
Gutierrez said she was only 12 when her father left to work in the Northern Marianas.
Her other siblings are now in their late 20s and early 30s.
Macaraeg, who was among the 628 foreign workers who were granted conditional umbrella permits, is under the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement since his arrest last October.
Macaraeg’s removal last month was stayed, and the Saipan immigration court reopened his case.
