Covering the week’s most noteworthy immigration news impacting the Filipino-American and Global Filipino community.
Generally, in California, property acquired by a spouse prior to marriage is considered separate property under family code section 770 while those acquired after marriage are considered community assets under…
In this week’s column, we address the Violence Against Women Act, commonly known as VAWA. VAWA is a federal law that allows victims of domestic violence to obtain lawful permanent…
“Other expenses associated with the property are not considered in the calculation such as mortgage interest, taxes and insurance.” GENERALLY, in California, when buying and selling property online the property…
A GREEN card holder can travel outside the US and return with some limitations. If a green card holder is outside the US for an extended period of time, he…
San Diego is “military town” and Navy and Marine Corps families abound, as well as retirees from different branches of our military. The military life is a test of resilience…
Recently, I had to cross a boulevard. There were two lanes going in each direction with a center island. The crosswalk was halfway down the block, about 200 yards away. …
Internet and social media has become a way of life these days. Almost everyone these day have Facebook, Instagram, Tweeter, etc. as part of their daily lives. These media are…
IN today’s column, we will address U nonimmigrant status, commonly known as the “U visa.” This temporary immigration status may be available to a domestic violence victim who is not…
WE have all heard the popular saying, “Timing is everything.” Unfortunately, this saying often adversely applies to those persons who have found an avenue from which to obtain a green…
INTERNET and social media has become a way of life these days. Almost everyone these day have Facebook, Instagram, Tweeter, etc. as part of their daily lives. These media are…
In a massive immigration operation this week, the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency targeted and arrested 150 undocumented immigrants, ICE announced on Wednesday, September 26. The 3-day…
WHAT makes a non-citizen deportable? An alien or non-citizen, including a lawful permanent resident (“green card” holder) is deportable for having a conviction relating to controlled substances. Title 8 U.S.C….
EACH month, the Visa Office of the State Department publishes, in the Visa Bulletin, the priority dates for that particular month, for the various family and employment based categories. A…
CAREGIVERS are presumptively disqualified from being named as beneficiary of a patient’s Will or Trust. Probate Code Section 21350, subdivision (a) provides: “Except as provided in Section 21351, no provision,…
UNDOCUMENTED immigrants who receive food stamps, Medicaid, housing vouchers or other public benefits may be denied green cards, the Trump administration announced on Friday, September 22. The Dept. of Homeland…
DEAR Attorney Tan, My US Citizen mother filed an I-130 immigrant petition on my behalf, which has a priority date in February 2000 and which has been approved. She filed…
STARTING on September 11, 2018, a new USCIS Policy Memorandum (PM) became effective, instructing officers on how to adjudicate (process and make decisions on) petitions, applications, extensions, etc., when the…
A stepparent may file an immigrant petition for a stepchild even without the stepparent having to legally adopt the stepchild. However, before a stepparent may be able to file an…
COUPLES have different spending habits and different philosophy in handling marital finances. Some spouses are conservative in managing their finances and stick with a budget while other spouses do not…
Foreign-born population increases The U.S. Census Bureau this week released its latest American Community Survey (ACS) data, showing that there are an estimated 4,037,564 Filipinos in the United States. The…
“ Loss of earnings are often a significant part of an injured person’s claim for economic damages. Damages are recoverable for both past and future lost earnings.” UNDER Howell v….
“You only need to provide your spouse notice that you filed a divorce by personally serving your spouse the divorce petition and summons.” COUPLES get divorced for various reasons. California…
Capacity at shelters for migrant children has been quietly increasing since the summer, the New York Times reported Despite a court order that required the Trump administration to release hundreds of…
Dear Atty. Gurfinkel: In 2004, I applied for a visitor’s visa but was denied. The next year, I secured an “assumed name” passport, which was a Philippine passport with my…
I just moved to California last month, and I’d like to file for divorce. Can I file now? To file for divorce in the State of California, the person filing…
IN a divorce proceeding, people sometimes have a misconception that the only assets or properties that have to disclose assets and properties situated in California. Even worst, sometimes parties even…
IN the last column, we covered how to obtain a domestic violence restraining order. In short, a domestic violence restraining order is a legal document from the court that states…
”In your case, it appears you are eligible to obtain a green card. You are a principal beneficiary of an I-130 petition filed by your US citizen mother.” DEAR Attorney…
IN a divorce proceeding, people sometimes have a misconception that the only assets or properties that have to disclose assets and properties situated in California. Even worst, sometimes parties even…
SAN Diego is “military town” and Navy and Marine Corps families abound, as well as retirees from different branches of our military. The military life is a test of resilience…
