Gaza War Survivor Deported From Israel After Visa Expires

Maricel Makipie, a caregiver from the Philippines who survived the October 7th massacre at Kibbutz Be'eri, has been arrested and deported from Israel after her visa expired. Makipie described the experience of her arrest as feeling "like October 7th all over again," recounting her distress and the trauma she continues to suffer from the Hamas attack.

Makipie had been working in Israel since 2021 and developed deep connections with the residents of Kibbutz Be'eri, particularly the family she cared for. She was present during the October 7th attack, hiding in a safe room for nearly a day before being evacuated. Following the attack, she struggled with severe post-traumatic stress, impacting her ability to work.

While Makipie had sought legal assistance to extend her visa before it expired, her application was reportedly delayed due to circumstances beyond her control, including the ongoing war and administrative issues. Despite her attempts to explain her situation, including her trauma and her strong ties to the community, a detention judge ordered her continued detention and subsequent deportation.

Her deportation not only severs her source of income, which she uses to support her family in the Philippines, but also disconnects her from a crucial support system and the therapy she needs to cope with her trauma. "For a person dealing with the consequences of severe trauma, continuity, secure relationships, a sense of belonging, and a support system that knows them and what they went through are important," stated social worker Shavit Vered Bar from Physicians for Human Rights, who is accompanying Makipie.

The Population and Immigration Authority stated that no application for victim of hostilities status had been filed on Makipie's behalf, but that any such application would be reviewed according to established criteria. Makipie's former employer's daughter, Michal Meir, expressed dismay, stating that Israel cannot simply dismiss Makipie after what she endured.