(Advertising Supplement)
IN 2017, Mommy Connie returned to the Philippines for a vacation and medical checkup. However, it was not until 2018 that she discovered her green card was missing. By the time it was found in 2019, it had already expired, leaving her stranded in the Philippines for an extended period, exacerbated by the global pandemic.
Concerns loomed over the potential classification of Mommy Connie’s green card as “abandoned.” The expiration of her green card posed a threat to the petition for her other daughters, a process they had been patiently waiting for a decade.
Dianne, Mommy Connie’s daughter, undertook extensive research to find a solution. Discovering the possibility of an SB-1 visa for residents who overstayed outside the U.S., the family attempted to secure an interview at the U.S. Embassy, only to be thwarted by pandemic-related closures.
In a stroke of fate, Dianne stumbled upon Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel’s episode on his U.S. Immigration TV YouTube channel, offering hope to green card holders stuck abroad due to COVID-19.
After her initial consultation with Atty. Gurfinkel, Dianne felt that he was too expensive and decided to consult with three other lawyers, who told her that her mother’s case was hopeless.
Despite initial budget constraints, Dianne eventually retained the services of Attorney Gurfinkel in February 2023. The family decided to have Mommy Connie fly to the U.S. with a stopover in Doha, Qatar, where she was not allowed to board in Doha.
On her second attempt via a direct flight with Philippine Airlines, she was not allowed to board due to her expired green card.
Attorney Gurfinkel tirelessly investigated the reasons behind the repeated denials. Convinced that there was no justifiable reason for the refusals, the family made another attempt in May 2023. This time, Mommy Connie successfully boarded a flight to New York, where she was allowed entry by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection at JFK.
Mommy Connie’s perseverance paid off as she not only renewed her green card but also safeguarded the petition for her other daughters, providing an inspiring example of overcoming adversity in the pursuit of the American dream.
Watch this success story on a brand-new episode of Citizen Pinoy on Sunday, February 18 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo. Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download the free app. (Advertising Supplement)
