Pedro and Salvacion Servano may be closer than ever to garnering enough political support for a private legislative bill squashing their pending deportation to the Philippines.

A representative for Sen. Arlen Specter on Wednesday confirmed the senator’s interest in the Servanos’ situation. Scott Hoeflich, Senator Specter’s Chief of Staff, released the following statement today: “The office was contacted on Nov. 12 regarding the Servanos and promptly contacted Immigration and Customs Enforcement to inquire about the case. The office will continue to work with the Servanos and ICE to see what resolution can be obtained.”

Gregg Cotler, an attorney for the Servanos, believes Sen. Specter is preparing to draft a legislative bill granting the Selinsgrove family permanent U.S. citizenship.

“Gabriel Bell, who is on Sen. Specter’s judiciary committee, told me the senator was concentrating on quickly reviewing the Servanos’ file,” Mr. Cotler said on Tuesday. “This is the next stage we’ve been hoping for and working toward.”

But even if Sen. Specter champions a private bill, the Servanos will be far from home free. Congress has passed only a relative handful of the thousands of private immigration bills that have made it to the floor in the past 20 years.

While Mr. Cotler acknowledges the odds, he thinks the Servanos may prove an exception to the rule.

“One of the problems with private legislative bills is (politicians) usually don’t know enough about the equities of the cases. It’s just too difficult. People don’t know what they’re about, they just know it’s a private immigration bill,” he said. “We’re out there letting people know this story, letting them know how outstanding the factors for the Servanos really are.”

Mr. Cotler noted other legislators have recently become interested in the Servanos, naming California senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein.

“We’re trying to get as many people involved as possible, so when there is... a vote, they’ll understand the equities involved in this case,” he said.

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