Jasper (extreme left) with his niece and Atty. Gurfinkel (extreme right)
U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel takes on one of the most challenging cases in the show’s 19-year history. Judy was petitioned by her father in 1993, but a series of tragic events complicated her case: Judy fell into a coma in 2002, and her father, the petitioner, passed away shortly after. Adding to the challenge, one of her daughters was close to aging out of the petition.
Judy remained in a coma for years while her family held on to the hope that her daughters would eventually have a chance at a better future in the U.S. By 2008, Judy’s priority date for her visa had become current, but her medical condition and the death of her petitioner left her case in limbo.
Judy’s family eventually sought the help of Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel after watching “Citizen Pinoy.” Despite the odds stacked against them, Judy’s brother, Jasper, made a promise to his comatose sister: he would do everything he could to make sure Judy’s daughters could immigrate to the U.S.
Atty. Gurfinkel faced three major legal hurdles: reinstating Judy’s petition after her father’s death, convincing USCIS to allow a biometrics appointment (fingerprints) and interview for a comatose beneficiary at her home, and ensuring that Judy’s daughter Joyze, who was about to turn 21, would not age out of the petition.
Against all odds, Atty. Gurfinkel was able to navigate these challenges. He successfully reinstated Judy’s petition under Obama’s Survivor Law, arranged for USCIS agents to conduct the necessary home visit for Judy’s green card despite her coma, and used the Child Status Protection Act to preserve Joyze’s eligibility for immigration.
In February 2024, Judy’s long journey to provide her daughters with a brighter future in the U.S. finally came to fruition. Both Joyze and Mitzi were granted their immigrant visas at the U.S. Embassy in Manila and were able to enter the U.S. While Judy remains in a coma, her love and determination have opened the door to the American Dream for her children.
Watch this success story on a brand-new episode of Citizen Pinoy on Sunday, October 27 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.
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