Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

THERE is nothing more important than family, I know this firsthand as I have been blessed with four daughters, a son and a beautiful wife. A big family by today’s standards and I wouldn’t change a thing. My family means everything to me and I cannot imagine what I would do if I were separated from them for any extended period of time.

As an immigration attorney, I am constantly reminded of the pain of family separation and how the immigration process actually keeps families apart rather than bringing them together. Long processing times, complex paperwork, difficult terms and concepts, proof of relationships, investigations by federal officers coupled with basic bureaucratic delays often result in moms, dads and kids desperately seeking my assistance in bringing their families back together.

Though they come to me with hope they do have doubts as the immigration process can wear an individual down especially one who has not previously dealt with the Department of Homeland Security, the State Department, immigration officers, investigators and embassy staff. Those who traverse this path alone, having no experience, do so at the risk of extending the painful separation. This week was a reminder of that very thought.

On Tuesday I was able to meet the three adopted children of our client Mario Bote who after 5 years of nightmare delays and frustration was finally united with his children. Though the children did not fully understand the pain and heartache Mario went through to get them here they proudly discussed their plans for the future in their new homeland, including obtaining US citizenship. We hugged and silently realized that the ordeal was finally over, closure.

On Wednesday I was able to meet the son of the Fortunado family. This couple spent many hours in my office weeping over the unfair treatment of their son by the US Embassy in Manila and the delays caused by their previous legal counsel’s incompetence. They too came to me after losing all hope. Now the fight won, they emotionally introduced him as the newest lawful permanent resident of the United States.

We too hugged and felt the warmth and relief of completion, the process finally over.

These success stories bring into focus what can be done if the right immigration professional is in your corner. So much precious time can be wasted and chances of reuniting the family here in the US lost if the path towards life in the US is done alone or with the help of a friend or non attorney adviser.

Decide now that you will find the funds, research the various attorneys and retain a reputable and successfully immigration professional so you too can feel the bliss of greeting that family member long since parted. Make the choice that will reunify your family and bring closure to your immigration heartache.

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Kelly S. O’Reilly is a principal and a founding shareholder in the law firm of Wilner & O’Reilly.

Please contact Kelly S. O’Reilly at (562) 207-6789 or 1-877-7MABUHAY. Wilner & O’Reilly, APLC, is located at 17777 Center Court Drive, Suite 200 Cerritos, CA 90703. Visit www.wilneroreilly.com.

( www.asianjournal.com )

( Published October 31, 2009 in Asian Journal Los Angeles p. C4 )