[COLUMN] Bifurcation and status only divorce
THE decision to terminate one’s marriage typically brings to the forefront many issues all at once. Issues pertaining to property, support, and child custody need to be addressed in a…
Category: Immigration Columnists
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[COLUMN] Administrative closure is back at immigration courts!
ON July 15, 2021, Atty. Gen. Garland brought back “administrative closure” to immigration courts by overruling a previous decision made during the Trump era, which “concluded that the immigration courts’…
[COLUMN] New hope for people in deportation
THERE is more great news for people who are in deportation/removal proceedings, or who may have already been ordered deported. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently issued Standard Operating…
[COLUMN] Petition denied at embassy due to fraud for jumping ship, on an all-new Citizen Pinoy this Sunday
LEADING U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel (2nd from right) provides the latest immigration developments, as featured on his YouTube channel: US Immigration TV. This Sunday, he also features another…
[COLUMN] What is the difference between an annulment and a divorce?
What is the difference between a divorce and an annulment? Many people think these concepts are the same and interchangeable. There are many differences between the two concepts. A divorce…
[COLUMN] What is the difference between an annulment and a divorce?
WHAT is the difference between a divorce and an annulment? Many people think these concepts are the same and interchangeable. There are many differences between the two concepts. A divorce…
Same-sex green card this week on Citizen Pinoy
For Jonathan (left), love conquers all. He was visiting friends in the U.S. to take a break from a recent upheaval in his life when he met his future husband….
[COLUMN] Deportation case dismissed!
IN a previous column, I discussed a new memo from the Biden administration, that they are limiting deportations by exercising what is called “prosecutorial discretion,” in terms of whether or…
[COLUMN] California court’s power to make divorce orders when one spouse does not live in state
THIS is a common question among people contemplating divorce in California when the other spouse does not live in the state. The California Courts has the power to grant a…
A person’s journey culminates in giving up comfortable life in the Philippines for true love in the US on an all-new Citizen Pinoy this Sunday, July 4
WHEN Jonathan (left) met his husband, he made the decision to give up his career and life in the Philippines, in exchange for love. The whole month of June, Pride…
[COLUMN] No visa if the petitioner moved back to the Philippines
DEAR Atty. Gurfinkel: My U.S. citizen father petitioned me in 2011 as a single adult child (Category F-1). About 3 years ago, he moved back to the Philippines. I am…
Citizen Pinoy Presents ‘Quick Consults’ on Part 3 of AXG: Abunda and Gurfinkel this Sunday, June 27
AXG: Abunda and Gurfinkel, moderated by Asia’s King of Talk, Boy Abunda, and leading U.S. immigration attorney, Michael J. Gurfinkel, provides answers to commonly asked questions in the “Quick Consults”…
[COLUMN] The July 2021 Priority Dates
The July 2021 priority dates, continue to provide great news for workers in the EB-3 (skilled/professional) and “other worker” (unskilled workers like caregivers). The priority dates for all countries (except…
[COLUMN] ‘Separated’ is not ‘single’
DEAR Atty. Gurfinkel: I entered the U.S. on a tourist visa and then overstayed and am out of status. My U.S. citizen boyfriend recently proposed to me, and we plan…
[COLUMN] Grounds for annulling a marriage
MOST couples that want out of a marriage in California usually file for Divorce. There are circumstances though that allow a couple to have their marriage “voided” rather than “dissolved.”…
[COLUMN] Grounds for annulling a marriage
MOST couples that want out of a marriage in California usually file for Divorce. There are circumstances though that allow a couple to have their marriage “voided” rather than “dissolved.” …
[COLUMN] New Biden memo limits deportations, can you benefit?
ON May 27, 2021, the Biden administration issued a memo entitled “Interim Guidance to OPLA Attorneys Regarding Civil Immigration Enforcement and Removal Policies and Priorities.” That memo could benefit so…
Citizen Pinoy Presents AXG: Abunda and Gurfinkel (Part 2) this Sunday, June 13
This Sunday, Citizen Pinoy brings more of the questions answered during their very first virtual Q&A held via Zoom. AXG: Abunda and Gurfinkel, moderated by Asia’s King of Talk, Boy…
[COLUMN] Can I obtain a divorce if my spouse refuses to sign?
THERE seems to be a misconception in the general public that you can only obtain a divorce in California if your spouse will sign the divorce papers. I get this…
[COLUMN] Permanent residence for crewmen
DEAR Attorney Tan, I entered the U.S. in 1998 as a crewman. I have recently married a U.S. citizen and would like to get a green card. However, I have…
[COLUMN] Can I enforce a form I-864 Affidavit of Support in divorce proceedings?
THE Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 requires that US Citizens sponsoring an alien for legal permanent residency execute an immigration form I-864 Affidavit of Support. This…
[COLUMN] New hope for non-citizens who accidentally registered to vote
DEAR Atty. Gurfinkel: I am a green card holder and am now eligible for naturalization. However, when I renewed my driver’s license, there was a section on the form to…
Catch the First Installment of Citizen Pinoy’s Very First Virtual Q&A on U.S. Immigration – AXG: Abunda and Gurfinkel
Asia’s King of Talk, Boy Abunda, and leading U.S. immigration attorney, Michael J. Gurfinkel, lead the discussion in the first virtual forum where Atty. Gurfinkel provides answers and relevant information…
[COLUMN] Can I enforce a form I-864 Affidavit of Support in divorce proceedings?
THE Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 requires that U.S. Citizens sponsoring an alien for legal permanent residency execute an immigration form I-864 Affidavit of Support. This…
[COLUMN] The June 2021 priority dates
THE June 2021 priority dates, continue to provide great news for workers in the EB-3 (skilled/professional) and “other worker” (unskilled workers like caregivers). The priority dates for all countries (except…
Leading US immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel answers more questions from Kapamilya on brand-new ‘Citizen Pinoy’
Hazel from Virginia Beach, Virginia (bottom left) wants to know the best way to bring her sister to the U.S., when she was initially petitioned by her mother in 2010…
[COLUMN] Removing the conditions of your permanent residence without your petitioning spouse’s participation
A PERSON who obtains his/her green card via marriage to a U.S. citizen spouse, and who is married for less than two years has conditional permanent resident status. A conditional…
[COLUMN] How widows of US citizens can still get their green card
WIDOWS of U.S. citizens have many options of obtaining their greencard should their U.S. citizen spouse die. Under INA Section 201(b)(2)(A)(i), Widows are allowed to remain classified as immediate relatives…
Leading US immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel answers more immigrations questions from Kapamilya around the US
Jimmy from Fyffe, Alabama is worried for his parents due to COVID, and would like to know if they can come to the U.S. using their multiple-entry tourist visas then…
[Column] Biden revokes Trump’s health insurance ban
ON May 14, 2021, President Biden revoked former President Trump’s proclamation of October 4, 2019, which would have barred the entry of immigrants unless they could prove they already had…