Thanksgiving message
THANKSGIVING is being celebrated differently this year. Because we are in the midst of a pandemic, the usual gathering of loved ones is close to impossible. Some may have lost…
Category: Immigration
Covering the week’s most noteworthy immigration news impacting the Filipino-American and Global Filipino community.
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4 ways filing for divorce can benefit your immigration case
Couples get divorced for various reasons. California is a no fault state. The reasons why a couple is getting divorced are often irrelevant to the issues of the family law…
VAWA self-petition
ANG isang karaniwang paraan upang makakuha ang dayuhan ng green card ay sa pamamagitan ng spouse petition ng asawang U.S. citizen (USC). Ngunit may mga pagkakataon na may karahasan na…
4 ways filing for divorce can benefit your immigration case
Couples get divorced for various reasons. California is a no fault state. The reasons why a couple is getting divorced are often irrelevant to the issues of the family law…
USCIS revises naturalization test
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has revised the civics portion of the naturalization test. In its news release on Friday, November 13, the USCIS said it has updated…
Preparing for Biden’s proposed immigration reforms
IN a previous article, I wrote on how Joe Biden has been declared the winner of the 2020 presidential election, and has proposed sweeping changes and reforms to our immigration…
PH Bureau of Immigration clarifies guidelines for foreign investors
FOREIGN investors planning to enter the Philippines must first secure an investor’s visa before they can be allowed entry to the country, the country’s Bureau of Immigration (BI) clarified on…
Judge rules DACA suspension invalid
THE Trump administration’s rules limiting applications and renewals for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program are invalid, a federal judge ruled over the weekend. Judge Nicholas Garaufis of…
What is a postnuptial agreement?
A postnuptial agreement is a contract between you and your spouse entered into after you get married resolving issues in your marriage. It is similar to a prenuptial agreement except…
Marriage fraud bar
ANG isang karaniwang paraan ng pagkuha ng green card ng dayuhang nasa loob ng U.S. ay sa pamamagitan ng family petition ng kanyang asawang US citizen (USC). Dahil ang asawa…
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 US citizen spouse, and who is married for less than 2 years has conditional permanent resident status. A conditional…
Dealing with assets omitted from a divorce case
YOU and your spouse may have gone through a lengthy and contentious divorce proceeding. This is usually the most difficult period of a person’s life. Finally, time heals all pain….
Biden’s compassionate immigration platform
JOE Biden has been declared the winner of the 2020 presidential election. He promises a radical change from Trump’s strict enforcement policies to a policy emphasizing compassion, leniency, and possibly…
Palace hopes Biden admin will relax US immigration policies
WHILE Malacañang expects no major changes in the United States’ foreign policy under President-elect Joe Biden, it hopes for a shift in the U.S. immigration policy that will treat Filipino…
Trump’s ‘public charge’ immigration rule back in effect days after being vacated
A FEDERAL appeals court on Wednesday, November 4 allowed the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to continue enforcing the Trump administration’s expanded “public charge” immigration rule that would deny…
Family unification through family-based petitions
ANG family unification ay napakahalaga sa U.S. Immigration Law. Ang family-based immigrant category ay nagpapahintulot sa mga U.S. citizen (USC) at mga green card holder/lawful permanent resident (LPR) na mag-petition…
Dealing with assets omitted from a divorce case
YOU and your spouse may have gone through a lengthy and contentious divorce proceeding. This is usually the most difficult period of a person’s life. Finally, time heals all pain….
The November 2020 Priority Dates
No Change From October 2020 Dates THE November 2020 priority dates, continue to provide great news for workers in the EB-3 (skilled/professional) and “other worker” (unskilled workers like caregivers). The…
Application for dual citizenship surges, consulate promises to shorten backlog
It took the coronavirus pandemic for many former Filipinos to realize the importance of holding a dual citizenship. The Philippine government temporarily banned the entry of foreigners and suspended the…
How to obtain custody and visitation rights for unmarried dads
Establishing parentage rights for Moms is a lot easier than establishing one for unmarried Dads. Moms can establish this by simply showing proof of her having given birth to the…
Petitions for adult children of LPR/USC
SA ilalim ng U.S. Immigration Law, mayroon dalawang uri ng family-based immigrant visas: (1) Immediate Relative: asawa, dalaga o binatang anak [na wala pang 21 taon gulang], o magulang ng…
Maximizing recovery in personal injury cases
DEAR Attorney Tan, I was driving home and was at a complete stop when another driver rear ended my car. I was not feeling well after the accident, as my…
How to obtain custody and visitation rights for unmarried dads
Establishing parentage rights for Moms is a lot easier than establishing one for unmarried Dads. Moms can establish this by simply showing proof of her having given birth to the…
Signing an untrue confession will not help your case!
Many people consulted with me after their case was denied by a USCIS officer or consul at the Embassy. In some cases, the person signed a confession, but now claims…
Marriage during removal proceedings
Ang I-130 Petition for Alien Relative ng isang U.S. citizen (USC) o lawful permanent resident (LPR) para sa kanyang dayuhang asawa batay sa kasal nila na naganap noong ang dayuhan ay nasa…
How widows of US citizen scan still get their green cards
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…
Why didn’t you file a petition already?
Dear Attorney GURFINKEL: I immigrated to the U.S. in 2008 through my mother’s F-3 petition (married son/daughter of U.S. citizen), which she filed in 1990. At the time my petition…
Automatic revocation of wills and trust upon entry of divorce or nullity judgment
YOU just finalized your divorce. You are free and single again. Ever wonder what happens to the will or revocable trust you executed during your marriage with your ex spouse…
Job changes after approved I-140 immigrant petition
Upang makakuha ng employment-based green card, karaniwan ay may tatlong hakbang para dito. Ang unang hakbang ay ang PERM Labor Certification, kung saan ang U.S. employer ay magpapakita sa U.S….
Automatic revocation of wills and trust upon entry of divorce or nullity judgment
You just finalized your divorce. You are free and single again. Ever wonder what happens to the will or revocable trust you executed during your marriage with your ex spouse…