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Fate of Filipino teachers in Prince George’s on shaky ground

Desperate for teachers with advanced degrees, the Prince George’s County school district sponsored work visas for hundreds of teachers from the Philippines. Now, the school system is embroiled in a complex legal battle with the U.S. Department of Labor — and the hundreds of Filipino teachers who left their home behind could soon be gone.

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April 15, 2011

Charisse Cabrera is a pre-kindergarten teacher at Carole Highlands Elementary School in Takoma Park. She is one of the hundreds of Filipino teachers sponsored by Prince George's County and woudl be among the first wave to lose jobs in light of a legal battle. The U.S. Department of Labor is investigating whether Prince George's schools cheated foreign teachers by having them pay for fees related to visa processing.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

Cabrera is one of about 1,000 foreign teachers working for the Prince George's County school district -- 10 percent of the entire staff. If the the Department of Labor gets its way, all foreign teachers will have to leave the county by 2014.

April 15, 2011

Cabrera is one of about 1,000 foreign teachers working for the Prince George's County school district -- 10 percent of the entire staff. If the the Department of Labor gets its way, all foreign teachers will have to leave the county by 2014.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

Cabrera ties the shoe of one of her pre-kindergarten students at Carole Highlands Elementary School.

April 15, 2011

Cabrera ties the shoe of one of her pre-kindergarten students at Carole Highlands Elementary School.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

Cabrera reads a story to her students. Her visa expires this June.

April 15, 2011

Cabrera reads a story to her students. Her visa expires this June.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

Cabrera talks to her class during snack time outside. In 2007, Cabrera attended a workshop held by Arrowhead Manpower Resources, a recruiting agency for teachers. The agency championed its ability to get teachers more lucrative jobs in the United States, especially with Prince George's County. Cabrera took the opportunity.

April 15, 2011

Cabrera talks to her class during snack time outside. In 2007, Cabrera attended a workshop held by Arrowhead Manpower Resources, a recruiting agency for teachers. The agency championed its ability to get teachers more lucrative jobs in the United States, especially with Prince George's County. Cabrera took the opportunity.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

Cabrera and the students give one student who is transferring schools a giant group hug goodbye.

April 15, 2011

Cabrera and the students give one student who is transferring schools a giant group hug goodbye.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

Cabrera bandages a student's finger. Even after she got the job in Prince George's County, she was uncertain about accepting it. She had led a comfortable life in the Philippines. But after her father suffered a heart attack, the looming medical costs made the decision for her.

April 15, 2011

Cabrera bandages a student's finger. Even after she got the job in Prince George's County, she was uncertain about accepting it. She had led a comfortable life in the Philippines. But after her father suffered a heart attack, the looming medical costs made the decision for her.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

Cabrera and the other teachers gave Arrowhead, the recruiting agency, about $5,000 to cover their H1-B visa fees, for which they were never paid back by the school system, which the Department of Labor says is a violation of the law.

April 15, 2011

Cabrera and the other teachers gave Arrowhead, the recruiting agency, about $5,000 to cover their H1-B visa fees, for which they were never paid back by the school system, which the Department of Labor says is a violation of the law.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

Cabrera opens the door for students at the end of the day.

April 15, 2011

Cabrera opens the door for students at the end of the day.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

Cabrera walks the students to the school bus.

April 15, 2011

Cabrera walks the students to the school bus.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

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